Dong Zong going against the law by instigating Malaysians, says Dr M

PETALING JAYA: If Chinese educationist group Dong Zong keeps instigating the people by playing up issues pertaining to Chinese education, then it is going against the law, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister said legal action could be taken against Dong Zong if it keeps inciting people against each other.

"It is going against the law. We have freedom of speech, but we are always sensitive about not instigating people to fight with each other.

"Dong Zong is only talking about one community, forgetting that this is a multi-racial country.

"It is for the police to decide (to ban Dong Zong), " said Dr Mahathir.

He was asked to comment on the petition by a youth movement, Gerakan Pengundi Sedar, to ban Dong Zong for opposing the teaching of Jawi in vernacular schools.

Dr Mahathir repeated his statement that Dong Zong is a racist organisation and that it only fought for the Chinese and not for all races.

"It has never fought for Malaysians but only for one race. This is a multi-racial country.

You must also take care of the feelings of other people. When we do something, we must think what other races will say, and if they are not happy, we must accommodate.

"Dong Zong has never said a word about Malaysia but always about Chinese education.

"Even when I proposed the Sekolah Wawasan (Vision Schools) to bring people together, they objected to that because it made Malay children mix with Chinese children.

"It's a very racist way for the children (not to mix). What is wrong with Chinese and Malays mingling together?

"When I was in school, there were all races – it was okay. According to Dong Zong, the children of all races must not get near each other. To have an assembly where all tree schools are together, is an anathema to Dong Zong.

"It is a racist organisation devoted to entirely to racial propagation, " said Dr Mahathir.

Dr Mahathir was speaking to the media after gracing the 21st anniversary celebrations of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport organised by Malaysia Airports Berhad here on Tuesday (Aug 13).

On the issue of preacher Dr Zakir Naik, who said that the Hindus of Malaysia are more loyal to the Indian Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir said that one should ask Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi if this was so.

He also said Malaysia couod not deport Zakir to his home country where he was wanted, as he ran the risk of being killed.

"If any country wants to have him, they are welcome to, " said Dr Mahathir.- Star