Dr M recalls colonial era, says freedom not a given

Many Malaysians are fortunate not to have experienced the indignities suffered by older generations under colonialism, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Speaking at the "My Voice, My Nation" event tonight in Kuala Lumpur, the 93-year-old who grew up during the British colonial era shared his feelings with the 2,000-strong crowd.

"I was lucky, or maybe unlucky, to witness how our people were mistreated and subjected to all kinds of indignities by the colonisers," he said.

"They came into our homes, told us how to behave and made us do things for their benefits and left us with crumbs.

"They know what is best and we are forced to let them do the thinking.

"They take away our wealth and we are supposed to smile and help them do the plundering," he lamented.

"It is my fervent hope that Malaysians, especially the younger generation, will be able to see and realise why we stood up against colonialism and fought for our independence," he said.

He hopes Malaysians will never again experience such indignities.

The prime minister further stressed that freedom is not a given, but something the people have to work for, defend, and nurture.

"That, I believe, is a task you are being entrusted with. Good or bad, big or small, my generation has done our bit," he said.

Apathetic aristocrats

Meanwhile, he said leaders who are aristocratic and of royal lineage tend to find it hard to understand the sufferings of the ordinary people.

"One aspect of leadership that is sometimes overlooked, is the ability to feel for the ordinary people.

"Sometimes, when leaders are aristocratic and of royal lineage, the tendency not to understand the sufferings of the ordinary people is prevalent.

"It is kin to the oft-repeated saying attributed to Marie Antoinette who told peasants who were hungry for bread to eat cake," added Mahathir, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairperson.

"The crux of the matter is that leaders have been known to be so detached that sufferings that could be resolved are allowed to perpetuate," he said.

He said some ordinary men who became leaders had been known to ignore the suffering of the people due to apathy.

The event tonight was held at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

It was organised by Sannie Movement (M) Sdn Bhd and Relement Group Sdn Bhd, in partnership with the Youth and Sports Ministry, as well as the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry. - Mkini