KUALA LUMPUR, June 29: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is a dangerous and divisive man, who has resorted to spinning tales to stay relevant and “shore up support for his new mates, ahead of the coming state elections” said former Member of Parliament for Klang, Charles Santiago.
Santiago was reported saying this by the New Straits Times (NST) today in response to Mahathir’s allegations at a press conference on Wednesday that non-Malays wanted to change the country’s name and ownership and that there were alleged attempts to shift Malaysia from a “Tanah Melayu” into a multiracial country, by those from other countries.
In a series of tweets Thursday morning, Santiago described Mahathir’s racially insensitive remarks as another desperate attempt to stay relevant.
“Need a 101 guide on how to desperately try to be relevant? Look no further than Mahathir assertion’s on vague foreigners trying to change the country’s name. If anything, it’s Mahathir who is trying to distort history.
“Non-Malays have contributed equally to the development of this country. They were offered citizenship, which they accepted. Every Malaysian therefore has equal rights to this country as its ours.
“It (Malaysia) does not belong to a selected few,” he said.
Santiago also said that Mahathir’s hate speech could be potentially explosive.
“We are a multi-racial country and a land made up of migrants. We are a melting pot of different cultures and traditions, a unique factor, that has made us unique.
“It is therefore, totally unbecoming of Mahathir to stir racial tension… but (it is) not surprising.
“The rhetoric clearly shows one thing of how dangerous and divisive Mahathir is to our country. He ought to be ashamed of himself,” he said.
— WE