Dr M’s low blow uncalled for

MIC CWC member S Vell Paari takes the former premier to task for his unpalatable comments regarding the moral values of Americans.

PETALING JAYA: As a Muslim, Dr Mahathir Mohamad has the right to be upset with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton for defending the movie “Innocence of Muslims” on the grounds of freedom of expression.

However, MIC media and publicity chief S Vell Paari said the former premier should not insult the moral values of Americans when Malaysia itself was drowning in social ills.

“As a leader who is touted to be wise, how can he make such a generalisation and insult the people of another country just because of differing opinions.

“Such comments are unbefitting of a statesman,” he told FMT.

Vell Paari was commenting on Mahathir’s latest blog posting, where the latter, among others, said that Americans would not be slighted if labelled as “bastards”.

The reason for this, he had argued, was because “their mothers and fathers sleep around with just anybody.”

Whereas Asians and Muslims, he had added, would kill those who uttered such things about their mothers.

What about Interlok?

However, Vell Paari urged Mahathir to reflect on the contents of the infamous Interlok novel which the government deemed fit for students’ consumption despite the litany of racial insults.

He recalled how the author had even suggested that the Chinese would sell their daughters for economic gratification.

“Isn’t this insulting to parents as well? So if we go by Mahathir’s reasoning, do we kill the national laureate who penned the book?” he asked.

Vell Paari also reminded Mahathir that Malaysia was not exactly a shining example of virtues.

“We have a high number of children born out of wedlock, incest and whatnot.

“The only difference is that in America, sexual issues are discussed in the open but here we do it behind closed doors… and that does not make us saints,” he added.

Vell Paari said Mahathir should confine his criticism to the issue in contention which was the US backing for the controversial movie and not launch unpalatable salvoes.

“It is comments like these which give the impression that BN is still trapped in the dark ages. It is this sort of double standard which makes life difficult for BN,” he added.

The MIC leader said while Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak was doing his best to win the hearts and minds of the people, it was unfortunate that the premier’s work was being undermined by those within the ruling coalition itself.

“We have a PM who during MIC’s AGM in 2010 admitted that mistakes have been made in the past and has vowed to correct them. He is now trying to re-build the bridge of unity.

“If you cannot help him build the bridge, that’s fine. But don’t pull out the bricks from the bridge he is trying to construct,” he added.

Vell Paari also noted how Mahathir had wrote that no Asian would be able to stomach being called a bastard.

Similarly, he said, non-Malays here found it difficult to come to terms with being termed as immigrants (pendatang) and pariah by certain quarters like Perkasa.

“We, the non-Malays, feel hurt and disappointed when Mahathir graces Perkasa’s events, so what difference is there between the insensitivity shown by him and Hilary Clinton,” he added.

Vell Paari said Mahathir should use his wisdom and expertise to set the Malaysian house in order first before harping on the mess in the houses of others.

“There is a long list of wrongs which need fixing in Malaysia. Let’s focus on that,” he added.