Dr Mahathir, STOP IT! “Pendatang” slur dividing Malaysians, aimed to attract voters

It is shocking to observe Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad repeatedly attack Chinese, Indians and others as immigrants now, but not while he was PM for more than two decades.

He has reportedly called political parties led by non-Malays ‘parti pendatang’ (parties of immigrants).

This is the Teh Tarik (tea) talk among Malaysians. They raised some questions for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. This article is about all the questions Malaysians are asking Mahathir.

While he was Prime Minister for two terms, a total of 24 years, he never raised the issue of “Pendatang”.

This is an Open Letter and questions Dr Mahathir to reflect and reply to Malaysians' queries. Please email your reply to the questions, and I will write a news story with your explanation.

We appreciate your reply, Dr Mahathir. Respect. Respect. Respect.

1. Did you, Dr Mahathir, address your Cabinet members as immigrants when you were PM for 24 years?
2. Racial issues, you say, in Malaysia were partly caused by non-Malays – When, What, Where?
3. Are you not stirring up racial issues by using the word “pendatang” (immigrant) several times in election campaigns, provoking the feelings of Malaysians?
4. Are you Dr Mahathir not an immigrant with your teaspoonful of Indian blood with roots in Kerala?
5. When you were PM, you championed inclusivity and diversity, which are the hallmarks of Malaysia. Malaysia, Truly Asia. Why change your stand now?
6. What do you mean by asking non-Malays to assimilate with Malay culture?
7. When you were PM, did you push for dismantling race-based political parties like MCA, MIC and UMMO?
8. As an UMNO Baru leader, did the non-Malay parties support you in winning the General Elections against Semangat 46? True or False?
9. Again, in GE14 in 2018, was It not the non-Malay parties that helped you to become PM for the second time?
10. Have you forgotten that the Merdeka setup of Umno, MIC and MCA ensured a balanced representation of Malays, Indians and Chinese in government?
11. Is it true that first PM Tunku Abdul Rahman’s prophecy was that you would single-handedly destroy a united Malaysia?
12. Are you aware that foreigners are also given citizenship after extended stays in Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia?
13. Why are you saying that non-Malays do not like the Malays when they live harmoniously?
14. Why do you say Anwar Ibrahim wants to give the country away to outsiders?
15. You say you cannot accept others because the Malays opened the country. Was it not the Indians who developed Palm Oil and rubber estates? Was it not the Chinese who opened tin mines, infrastructure and other business sectors in the country?
16. Where is it in the Constitution that promoting multi-racialism is against the Federal Constitution?
17. Is it not the constitution that Article 8 guarantees equality among citizens and that no one should be discriminated against based on ethnicity? Why use the slur word “Pendatang”?
18. Why blame Anwar for losing and giving away the country when you never lifted a finger during your term of 24 years to address the “Pendatang” issue, which is a non-issue?
19. Malaysia is blessed with Malays, Indians, Chinese, Orang Asli, Melanau, Iban, Bidayuh, Kadazan, Bajau, Dusun, Suluk and other citizens. Why rock the friendship of all these people living in harmony now?
20. Are you trying to split the races because it is a guaranteed vote-winner in elections?
21. Do you realise that your utterances divide and deepen the human alienation from nature and divide the nation along fault lines made up by you?
22. Why are you accentuating ethno-religious identity and depicting “others” (immigrants) as threats to one's race and religion? Is your aim to divide the country to secure electoral victory?
23. At one time, you propagated Bangsa Malaysia. Do you think that “Pendatang” racist rantings will help in the progress of Malaysia?
24. What is the “unwillingness of the non-Malays” to assimilate with Malay culture?
25. Do you see a big divide amongst the Malays with so many Malay political parties? Is this the cause of a divisive society? You have the record of forming many Malay political parties, switching parties, and changing your alliances many times. Is this true?
26. Are you using Race and Religion as bait to perpetuate racism?
27. Do you realise that you are using fear tactics of “Pendatang” to attract more Malay voters?
28. What are some ways for Malaysians to unite as one nation?
29. Will your rejection of inclusive diversity significantly weaken Malaysia's ability to be a world leader?
30. Where are your parents and grandparents from India? Is that not “pendatang”?

I attended government schools in the 1950s and 60s and assimilated with every race. Those were the good times when all the races stayed and ate in their friend's homes. I was not fortunate to get a scholarship or loan. I worked for ten years and saved money to study journalism at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. We had to work harder and were not entitled to the benefits Bumiputras got. No one is above the law. Those who violate the law should be charged. As immigrants, we have accepted our fate in Malaysia and continue to live peacefully amongst Malaysians.

Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.

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