In a lengthy diatribe against non-Malays today, Dr Mahathir Mohamad claimed that they want to “change the name and ownership” of Malaysia.
The former prime minister repeatedly alleged there was an attempt by people “from other countries” to shift Malaysia from being a “tanah Melayu” (land of the Malays) into a multiracial country.
He also claimed that these people refused to recognise the Malays as the founders, locals and builders of the country.
“How arrogant are those who come here, whom we have made into citizens, to demand that the name of our country be changed, turned into a multiracial country?
“Many people migrate from one country to another. When they go to another country, they accept that country and its owners, and they adapt their lives to be like the locals (but not those who came here),” the veteran politician said during a press conference in Sepang.
Earlier, Mahathir went on a tirade about the history of Malaysia and pointed out how “outsiders” had made two attempts to change the country.
He elaborated extensively on Malaysia’s historical background, highlighting the period when it was known as the Malayan Union during British colonial rule.
Dr Mahathir said there’s an attempt to make “Malaysian Malaysia” again just like Lee Kuan Yew did in 1964.
“The Malays’ rights are half-gone. If every race in Malaysia will have the same rights as the Malays, we are doomed,” he said.
He said if the “Malaysian Malaysia” is in place, the Malay language will no longer have its speakers.
“Just like in Singapore, they used English as a medium in schools. If you ask the Malay Singaporeans, they won’t know how to reply in Malay. That is a threat to Malays in this country,” he said.
The nonagenarian also alleged that whenever the Malays spoke up about their struggles, they were immediately shut down and labelled as racists.
This recent rant marks another episode in Mahathir’s Malay People’s Proclamation campaign, purportedly aimed at raising awareness among the Malay population regarding their perceived “lost power”.
Speaking of the Malay Proclamation movement he founded, Mahathir asserted that the Malays would lose their rights entirely in the next federal election.
“We do not reject the other races and we do not want to take away their rights. They have their rights, but we have already lost almost half of ours,” Mahathir said.
“In the next election (GE16) we might lose more and later during GE17, I think everything will be lost (by the Malays).
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“Malaysia will be made a multi-racial country where Malays will be the poor people in a rich country.
“The Malays must realise that this is our country. We can share it with others but not until it destroys us,” he added.
He urged Malays who love the country to support his cause to ensure they have a future.
He said the Malay proclamation movement is not in support of any individual but supports the Malays as a whole.
“The Malays who love the country, rejecting corrupt practices, should not sell votes.
“I hope the Malays realise that their vote will determine the future of the Malays.
“Our children and grandchildren will be angry at us if we don’t defend the rights of Malays,” he said.
Mahathir also alleged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is willing to compromise the rights of Malays just to please DAP.
He said Anwar was afraid of losing power if DAP, which has the most seats in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, retracted its support for the government.
“DAP is the biggest party in the PH coalition with more than 40 of them being MPs. Not even PKR or Amanah has the strength of DAP.
“If DAP retracted its support, the government would then collapse.
“So, Anwar has no choice but to follow DAP’s call,” he said.
Mahathir further alleged that Anwar agreed to plenty of demands made by DAP.
“He (Anwar) agreed to too many things until he once said that Malays should not forget that this country doesn’t only belong to them, but others also have rights over the country,” Mahathir said.
