Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s argument that promoting a multiracial Malaysia is against the Federal Constitution is a “last desperate attempt” to seem relevant, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar pointed out that the former premier lost his influence after the 15th general election, where the latter suffered a massive defeat in the Langkawi parliamentary seat.
“(Mahathir) lost his deposit in Langkawi, I don’t think we should take him very seriously.
“Of course, (this) is his last attempt to be seen as relevant. I am going to make him irrelevant.
“I am not going to comment on it,” Anwar said during a question-and-answer session at theInternational Malaysia Law Conference at the Shangri-la Hotel in Kuala Lumpur today.
He was responding to a question from former Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong, who was moderating the session, on whether there will be any impact from Mahathir’s comment.
Anwar said he does not understand why the country still has to be “stuck” on the issue of who the nation belongs to.
“I can’t understand why in 2023, we are stuck. We are not talking about governance, economic advancement, or digital tech.
“We are stuck on who this country belongs to,” he said.
The prime minister said he is a Malay who respects Malay culture, tradition, rulers, and language but that does not mean he has to be racist and deny the rights of other Malaysians.
On the other hand, he said the Madani government will use “all the powers and resources” they have to deal with the increasingly tense situation.
The Constitution, he said, is very clear on both the special position of the Malays as well as in protecting the welfare of all Malaysian citizens.
Mahathir had previously argued that promoting a multiracial Malaysia runs foul of the Federal Constitution.
He claimed the constitution does not mention Malaysia as a multiracial country but instead emphasised the “Malayness” of Malaysia.
Mahathir’s remarks have seen significant pushback from various quarters, including his former mentee Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who called on the 98-year-old to stop dividing the nation. – Malaysiakini
Related report:
Jul 3, Mahathir: Promoting multiracial Malaysia against constitution