Dr Mahathir Mohamad has defended his remarks about the Jews at a recent talk in the United Kingdom, which earned him brickbats, including from renowned Turkish author and journalist Mustafa Akyol.
“But that is my opinion,” the prime minister told reporters in Putrajaya this afternoon.
Mahathir also pointed out how Europeans often emphasised the importance of free speech but decried that it came with conditions.
“They talk about free speech, (but) I can't say that (about Jews). (So) there is no free speech.
“That is why I said the Europeans have a double standard. When they like (what is said), free speech... When they don't like (there is no free speech),” he added.
Although using free speech as a defence, Mahathir had in the past pointed out that such freedom has limitations.
For example, in the aftermath of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple riots last November, the premier had said:“The right and freedom of speech do not mean a person can say whatever that is deemed provocative and hurt the sensitivities of others.”
Speaking at the Cambridge Union over the weekend, Mahathir had told his audience how his Jewish friends were different when asked to justify his statement that Jews were “inclined towards money.”
"I have some Jewish friends, very good friends. They are not like other Jews, that is why they are my friends," he had said.
Mahathir had also said "the Jews do a lot of wrong things, which force us to pass comment" as well as defended his previous description of them as “hooked nose”.
This had prompted Mustafa to criticise Mahathir on Twitter, terming the premier's remarks as disrespectful. - Mkini
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