Dr M has also caused rift between liberal and conservative Malays, says Ti Lian Ker

PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has not only divided Malaysians along racial lines but also split liberal and conservative Malays, says Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.

The MCA vice-president said that Malaysia was once seen as a progressive and open-minded country.

"Now, they (liberal Malays) are looked upon with distrust and disgust as they do not have Islamic credentials and are mostly Western-trained technocrats.

"Today, liberal Malays are frowned upon as if being open-minded and a progressive thinker is a sin," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Sept 6).

On Monday, Dr Mahathir claimed that non-Malay parties were partly to blame for racial issues and labelled them as "parti pendatang" (immigrant parties).

Ti said it was not ethnic-based parties that caused division in Malaysia but their wisdom and leadership had instead kept Malaysia intact and a model for a successful multicultural society.

"Many foreigners are in awe of and have studied our multiracial model of harmony and unity.

"Lastly, Dr Mahathir was wrong when he compared Malaysia to Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia as these countries practise assimilation whereas in Malaysia, we have agreed to walk along the lines of 'accommodation'," added Ti.

Dr Mahathir, who garnered flak for his remarks, also said that "immigrants" lived in Malaysia and received citizenship but were not willing to assimilate Malay culture.