Thieves, not DAP or Guan Eng, will destroy Malays, warns Mahathir

Dr Mahathir Mohamad is embarrassed over the prevalent belief that DAP and its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's presence in the federal government would sound the death knell for Malays.

In his latest blog post, the two-time premier recalled how Malays had opposed the British and the Malayan Union in the past.

According to Mahathir, the fate of the race does not lie with DAP but rather the leaders who are chosen to helm the nation.

“I feel ashamed when many Malays believe that DAP will destroy the Malays...

“Yes, I admit the Malays have numerous weaknesses. They are not successful in business nor industrious. We also find many who are poor, involved in drug abuse, crimes and corruption.

“But are the Malays so weak that a political party can destroy them?” he asked.

Turning the clock back to the colonial era, the 95-year-old politician said the British were forced to rescind the Malayan Union due to the opposition from the Malays.

“Perhaps, there are cowards amongst the Malays at present. But Malays in the past were brave,” he added.

Mahathir also referred to himself in the third person with regard to his first tenure as prime minister from 1981 to 2003 when emphasising how the previous Malay leadership refused to bow to major powers.

“When leaders of a small nation are appointed, they would be asked to meet the United States president. We did not.

“The Malaysian prime minister in 1981 went to the US three years after being appointed despite the US ambassador seeking to fix an appointment as soon as the prime minister took office.

“The Malay leadership often reprimanded the major powers for their atrocities on weaker nations. It was the voice of a Malay leader which was loudest with regard to Israel,” he added.

Citing the 1997 financial crisis during his tenure, Mahathir said Malaysia refused to yield to currency speculators to plead for aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.

Although financial experts foretold doom and gloom over Malaysia's methods to counter the crisis, the former premier said the nation bounced back under a Malay administration.

“There are numerous other episodes which show that Malays cannot be destroyed easily.

“But Malays can be destroyed. They will be destroyed if they allow thieves to become leaders. Although these leaders are Malays, they will destroy the race,” he added.

Fear of Guan Eng and playing golf with Trump

Training his guns on his successor-turned-predecessor Najib Abdul Razak, Mahathir noted how Umno, which defeated the British and achieved independence, crumbled in the last general election.

“Why? Because the party had a 'robber' as its leader. I don't have to repeat what this leader did. From a respected nation, Malaysian became a kleptocracy – governed by a thief.

“And so the party was destroyed because its members were willing to be bribed and no longer prioritised the struggle of the Malays,” he added.

Lim Guan Eng

Following this, Mahathir said, the fear of DAP was sowed in the hearts of the Malays.

“The courageous Malays and Malay leadership who fought against the British, world powers, IMF and World Bank are now afraid of DAP... Afraid of Guan Eng. The Malays are afraid of Guan Eng.

“Where did this cowardice come from? (The Malays) seek protection from whom? From Najib? From a 'Malay-Muslim leadership of thieves'?

“There are those who say 'although he is a crook, he is a Malay'. But when he was the leader, did he protect the Malays? Did he lose (in the election) because of protecting Malays? Ask yourselves.

“Is playing golf with (US President Donald) Trump proof of his strength in defending the Malays?

“Malay youths had fought the British without fear. The youths who support Najib are seeking protection from him. Have you become cowards?

“I am ashamed. Very ashamed.

“Apparently, there are Malays who are so fearful of DAP to the point of willing to betray the people who gave them mandate (in the last general election),” he added. - Mkini