Letter to editor
RECENTLY Indian satellite TV channel Thanthi TV interviewed nonagenarian Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who in the twilight of his life has expressed thoughts that contain ironies, contradictory and idiosyncrasies.
Doubtlessly, the twice former premier is entitled to his opinion, nothing less nothing more even if they contradict the Magna Carta which is the Federal Constitution.
He somehow reiterated his labelling of Malaysian who do not assimilate to the local culture as being disloyal when the constitution is based on the spirit of integration. What is loyalty in the first instance one may ask.
So according to Mahathir, if the Malays are lazy, the Chinese are conniving, and the Indians are not loyal…. siapa je yang helok 😭a https://t.co/3UTqjblgmd
— Nazeera Nasir 🇵🇸🕊️ (@nzranasr) January 13, 2024
The definition of loyalty in law and political science is the fidelity of an individual to a nation either one’s nation of birth or one’s declared home nation by oath (naturalisation).
Hence, Dr Mahathir’s definition of loyalty according to his whims and fancies of assimilation as opposed to integration in accordance with the Federal Constitution is a blatant attack against the supreme law of the land.
Is he trying to take advantage of his advanced age as a pathway to speak his mind as bluntly as he so wishes for he thinks that the government may not charge him in the court of law for his action?
He has been making non-Malays who uphold absolute loyalty angry with all his views and expressions which touch on their sense of loyalty since he was ousted. He is a sour grape who is still fighting to be relevant until the last breath.
The divisive force
Malaysians have stopped respecting him due to his hurtful and divisive statements against citizens who are proud to be Malaysians.
Whether he realises it or has chosen to ignore it, the truth is such that “unity in diversity” of the multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious Malaysians is what has enabled him to remain a premier for 22 years.
This is despite his divisive strategies of divide and rule by destroying every detractor that came his way even if they were prodigies who had worked tirelessly for him.
Dr Mahathir is not in tune with the spirit of time. He is stuck in the time wrap whereby he is no longer able to ascertain what is right and wrong anymore.
He still thinks he can continue with his good old tactics of yesteryears to divide and rule. He does not know that the world had moved forward by leaps and bounds towards a greater sense of unity or integration. He does not understand that without unity, we will all perish together.
Before he takes his last breath, perhaps he should be allowed for one last time to use his experience and knowledge to unite Malaysians but certainly minus his idiosyncrasies which are no longer applicable in today’s world.
He would not have been a premier for 22 years in his first premiership stint had internet existed. Imagine how he didn’t last beyond 22 months in his second stint for internet has brought about a sense of transparency and accountability.
So Dr Mahathir, enough is enough of your antics. In fact, you will do Malaysia a big favour by keeping your frustration or the depression that you are enduring in this twilight phase of your life to yourself.
Please be a peacemaker so that future generations of Malaysians will read about you in a positive light as opposed to a being culprit who was responsible for disunity among Malaysians due to your selfish interest. – Jan 13, 2024
K. Tamil Maran
Seremban
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
