PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has the knack of issuing provocative statements that should just be left at that, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“It is best that we don’t respond. I, for one, do not intend to answer to his provocation,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Asked if Dr Mahathir purposely raised such issues since polls for six states would be held soon, Ahmad Zahid said he would not be surprised.
“He seems to have a template of provoking others and raising provocative issues,” he added.
Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah have dissolved their state assemblies to make way for elections.
The Deputy Prime Minister was asked about Dr Mahathir’s statement that it is unconstitutional to promote Malaysia as a multiracial country.
This came following Bukit Gelugor Umno information chief Huzaidi Husin’s call for him to stop fanning racial sentiments.
Dr Mahathir also took a swipe at the DAP and the current government.
“Yes, DAP has four ministers. But within the government, there are 40 DAP MPs. If DAP retracted support, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s government would collapse.
“That is why Anwar has to follow DAP’s manifesto, specifically making multiracial Tanah Melayu and replacing the official religion of Islam with a secular country and a country without official religion,” he said.
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