DON’T FAKE IT, DR MAHATHIR! HARDEST PART OF PM’S JOB IS RACE RELATIONS ONLY BECAUSE YOU & UMNO EMBEDDED A SIEGE MENTALITY AMONG MALAYS FOR 60 YEARS – SOLVING THE PROBLEM NOW IS SURELY TOUGH BUT IT CAN BE DONE IF YOU SAY ONE THING TO ALL THE RACES & DO THE SAME FOR ALL RACES

PROTECTING race relations is the hardest part of being prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said in a video clip in conjunction with the country’s 62nd Merdeka.

In the four-minute clip posted on YouTube and on his social media accounts, the prime minister said his wish for young Malaysians is to safeguard the country’s multiracial character and to work at bringing the races closer together.

“The hardest thing in this country of many races, is that we need to be careful when we say something.

“We shouldn’t offend the sensitivities of other races. Whatever we say or do, make sure we don’t cause racists feelings to emerge,” he said in the video when asked about the hardest thing he had to do as prime minister.

The clip titled Apabila Dr Mahathir ditanya mengenai Merdeka (When Dr M is asked about Merdeka) shows the 94-year-old leader with a group of teenagers in a park in Putrajaya, who ask him several questions.

Dr Mahathir also tells them to keep themselves informed about what is happening Malaysia and to remember the country’s character as a multiracial nation.

“We want the future for teenagers to be better. They must be aware and know what is happening in Malaysia, especially the fact that we are a country of many races and we need to bring the races closer to each other.

“We should not deliberately stir the anger of other races.”

He said celebrating Merdeka was necessary to remember that Malaysians had won the right to determine their own fate and choose their own leaders.

“We can determine our own future. We can govern ourselves and we can work to develop our country.

“We can choose the government we want. We did not have a say when we were under the colonialists.

“Everything was decided by the colonial rulers who determined their own interests, not ours.”

Dr Mahathir was also asked if he felt Malaysia was “truly free”.

He said while the country had achieved independence, there was a lot of information in today’s world that could influence people, but added, “our character as Malaysians must always remain”.

The clip ends with a quote attributed to Dr Mahathir: “Mengisi kemerdekaan lebin sukar dari menuntutnya. (Giving meaning to independence is harder than demanding it).”

THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT