MIC to Mahathir: Say sorry for leaving us poor

MIC Wanita chief says Mahathir should not only apologise for using the word 'keling' but also for depriving the community of economic development while he was in power

PETALING JAYA: Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, under fire today for using the word “keling”, has been urged to apologise to the Indian community for neglecting their economic and social development during his years in office

MIC Wanita chief Mohana Muniandy, said unfair treatment had led to young Malaysian Indians lagging behind in the country’s development.

However, she said, Najib Razak had extended aid to the community, bringing about positive economic and social changes. “It is because of Najib, job opportunities have been created. Indian youths have jobs,” she added.

She said Dr Mahathir should not only apologise for uttering the word “keling” as shown in a two-month-old video clip that surfaced recently, but “he needs to apologise to the entire Indian community for treating us unfairly, throughout his tenure as a prime minister. Not only for calling us keling.”

Mahathir was prime minister from 1981 to 2003.

The 25-second-long video clip shows Mahathir disparaging prime minister Najib Razak for his handling of the threats of the Islamic State terrorist network. A police report has reportedly been lodged.

Mohana described Dr Mahathir as “going senile”. She said he “no longer knows what he is saying. His statement is just weird.”

She forecast that Mahathir would fail to garner support from the Indian community for his new political party as ‘they are aware of Mahathir’s true colours.”