Dr M calls all Malaysians ‘racists’

By Clara Chooi

February 22, 2012

Dr Mahathir said those who accused him of racism were similarly guilty. — File pic

SHAH ALAM, Feb 22 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad labelled all Malaysians “racists” today when responding to accusations against Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders for playing the race card when lobbying for Malay and Chinese support.

The former prime minister shrugged off criticisms, pointing out that it was common for anyone to ignore the interests of others when trying to get their way.

“This country, everybody is racist. Now, everybody talks about his own interest, doesn’t care about other people’s interest.

“So let’s not hide and say we are not racist,” the straight-talking politician told a press conference today.

“All of them, the people who say I’m racist, they are racist because they say I’m racist,” he added, with a smile.

Dr Mahathir was responding to BN’s “doublespeak” regarding the outcome of support for PAS and DAP, following MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek’s debate with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng last weekend.

Dr Chua had warned the Chinese community against supporting DAP, claiming a vote for the secular, majority Chinese party would only empower Islamist PAS.

Separately, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak told a gathering of Islamic religious scholars the following day that a vote for PAS would empower DAP.

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