It was disgusting to be reading about an article of which the Malaysia's deputy prime minister, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said about the former prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad's Indian parentage.
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| Photo source: MalaysianInsight: Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says Dr Mahathir Mohamad used the Malays to further his political career, at the Kelana Jaya Umno division annual general assembly |
Zahid recently revealed how Dr Mahathir's old national identification card had his name listed as Mahathir a/l Iskandar Kutty, something that he claimed as evidence that the former prime minister exploited the Malays to pursue his own agenda.
To put into context, Zahid is the Malaysia's deputy PM, with the United Malays of National Organisation (UMNO), the main component of the ruling party, Barisan Nasional, while Mahathir has left UMNO to form a new opposition party Bersatu and is with the opposition coalition, Pakatan Harapan...which is why Zahid has attacked Mahathir.
Here is what was reported on MalaysianInsight:
"Dr Mahathir had likely forgotten about this fact – that he is the son of Iskandar Kutty," Zahid said, referring to Dr Mahathir’s Indian father.
“On his blue IC, his name is listed as Mahathir son of Iskandar Kutty. This was sent to me by the National Registration Department director.
“No wonder he easily forgot this, as he is the son of Iskandar Kutty,” the Umno number two told the Kelana Jaya Umno division annual general assembly.
But to use race as a tool, in a speech, is a disgrace to the country...while Mahathir may not be a "true" Malay in that sense, what is he trying to suggest? That an Indian root has a lower value than the Malays in Malaysia?
It is offensive and unacceptable but in Malaysia, it is how the political system works. It is a racist system, used to divide the people, in order to achieve a certain agenda. Perhaps something that Mahathir was guilty of himself.
Look at ruling Barisan Nasional and we will see UMNO, Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), all separated within races...and it is a common thing in Malaysia to hear reminders and speeches about how one would suffer as the rights of their racial community will not be protected by the government if they don't vote for such parties.
And even the opposition coalition suffered within the racist system as most of their component parties are dominated by different racial group but at least efforts are made to open up as a multiracial party.
And to hear Zahid Hamidi mocked Mahathir's Indian origins is another low for the country. I'm not an Indian and I don't think I can speak on behalf of the community but as a Malaysia, I'm disgusted with the behavior and arrogance of Zahid Hamidi.
It also raises the question of privacy of data...how could he, as Home Minister, obtained and acquired such information, in order to insult a former political leader that has left UMNO?
The abuse of power is a blatant yes to our face.
If as a Malaysian, you think that you could put up with this kind of people as your leader, go ahead. I for one, will not want a government leader that is openly racist, openly abusing their powers and see one race as superior to the other. A political system that is entrenched in racism will only go downhill. I hope Malaysians are seeing this, because if we are so blinded by race, how can we move forward?
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