Stop whacking PN over Mahathir's views - Bersatu associate chief

 

Government leaders and the public are being urged to stop condemning Perikatan Nasional after Dr Mahathir Mohamad cast aspersions on the loyalty of Indian and Chinese Malaysians.

Bersatu associate wing information chief R Sri Sanjeevan said this was because the former prime minister was not part of the PN coalition.

“I ask government leaders and the public to stop condemning PN for Mahathir's statement. He is not a representative of PN.

“The public should not be confused. Mahathir only supports PN becoming the government. That does not mean that all his statements reflect PN’s position,” he told Malaysiakini.

Mahathir, who served as prime minister for 22 years from 1981 to 2003 and then 22 months from 2018 to 2020, claimed in an interview with Indian TV channel Thanthi TV that Indian Malaysians are not completely loyal to the country as they still identify with their country of origin.

He said one should identify as Malay to have the right to call the country their own.

R Sri Sanjeevan

“Indian Malaysians do not speak Malay as their home language, they speak Tamil (instead),” he said when the host asked if one can remain loyal to the country while committed to their roots.

The nonagenarian then said that his “problem” is when “immigrants” (Indians and Chinese) call the country their own while professing their own cultures and customs.

The statement was rejected by various parties, including the PN component party, Gerakan.

Mahathir appointed for govt experience

Sanjeevan said that Mahathir’s position as an adviser to the four PN-led state governments - Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan, and Perlis - was only because of his experience as prime minister for 22 years.

“We need to understand that (he is in) the position of adviser is because he is a former prime minister and has experience and knowledge about the economy of a state.

“It has nothing to do with his stance. Moreover, he does not participate in any PN component party, even though he has publicly left Pejuang.

“Bersatu’s associate wing will never support any party making statements challenging the unity between the races in this country,” he said.

Malaysiakini also contacted PAS’ non-Muslim supporters wing who declined to comment on the issue. - Mkini