Tun M told to stop sowing seeds of hatred over 'parti pendatang' statement
SHAH ALAM - MCA tells former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to stop sowing seeds of hatred among Malaysians following a controversial statement he made in Muar, Johor, last night (Sept 3).
Its secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon said the statesman should instead focus on fostering unity among Malaysians like he did during his 22-year tenure as Prime Minister.
Chong, however, expressed his dismay over Dr Mahathir’s statement describing political parties led by non-Malays as ‘parti pendatang’ (migrant parties).
“I think Tun M has gone too far by questioning the legitimacy of citizenship of all races in this country now.
“Whatever race or origins they may be, Malaysian today are all born as Malaysian, who are loyal and love this country.
“The multiracial and multicultural society of Malaysia was unique and once a role model to the world on how harmonious we are and how progressive and advancement we achieved,” he told Sinar Daily today.
Dr Mahathir, during a ceramah at Bakri Pas Markaz, was quoted by The Star saying that the non-Malays’ unwillingness to assimilate with Malay culture, including creating their own political parties, contributed to the racial issues in the country.
He had said that such practices were not seen neighbouring countries such as Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia where there were political parties created for ‘pendatang’ (migrants).
“But in Malaysia, these ‘pendatang’ live here and receive the citizenship of this country but are still distancing themselves.
“Even in politics, they are establishing their own parties. This is why there are still racial issues in this country,” he said.
He even gave short disclaimer: “It is not that we do not like them but they are the ones who do not like us”.
He had said that such practices were not seen neighbouring countries such as Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia where there were political parties created for ‘pendatang’ (migrants).
To this, Chong said Malaysia took a different approach compared to other South East Asian nations when they were seeking independence and forming Malaysia.
“Our forefathers had chosen integration and not assimilation when all races stood together to achieve our independence, so it’s a different approach compared to other SEA nations,” he said.
Dr Mahathir went on to take take jab at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, where he said Pakatan Harapan was led by a person who tells the people that the country does not belong to the Malays alone but also to others.
"He wants to give this country away to outsiders. This I cannot accept as we are the ones who explored and open up the peninsular," he was reported saying.
Dr Mahathir added that he would continue to talk about 3R (Race, Religion, and Royalty) as it is his right to talk about such matters.
