Dr Mahathir Mohamad has defended his speech at the Malay Dignity Congress in Shah Alam over the weekend, which detractors claimed had denigrated the race.
According to the prime minister, he spoke the truth about the Malays with the aim of correcting them.
“I want to speak the truth. If I find someone is not willing to work, then the person is not interested (in working).
“If we cannot reprimand people (for their errors), then how do we correct them? If someone does wrong, and if we praise them, that is also wrong.
“I merely said it is the Malays themselves who can redeem their dignity,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby this afternoon.
Mahathir said the Malays cannot depend on others or the government to uphold their dignity and pride.
“This was the content of my speech. I don't think I did anything wrong,” he added.
Yesterday, right-wing Muslim movement Isma chairperson Aminuddin Yahaya (photo) criticised Mahathir over his speech, saying the attendees hoped for something positive but were forced to listen to the prime minister disparaging the Malays instead.
He also claimed that Mahathir is responsible for some of the issues he had raised to blame the Malays.
'If you love Malays, dissolve Parliament'
Meanwhile, Johor Umno Youth chief Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said 70 percent of Mahathir's speech had tarnished the Malays and was devoid of elements to foster greater unity in the community.
He said if the prime minister cares for the Malays, the latter should dissolve Parliament to pave the way for a snap election.
“Johor Umno Youth finds Mahathir's speech during the congress disappointing. Not only did the speech insult the Malays, but it also did not contain new ideas.
“Does Mahathir want to remain silent and allow the dignity of the Malays to be tarnished.
“If Mahathir loves the Malays, dissolve Parliament because the Malays already see their mistake in choosing the wrong government (in the last general election),” he told Umno Online.
Mahathir had also courted flak for describing the minorities in Malaysia as foreigners during his speech at the congress.
The premier had said the Malays were forced to accept these "orang asing" (foreigners) or the nation would not have achieved independence from the British.
Other Malay leaders present at the congress were PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu and Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali. - Mkini
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