Dr M's 'loyalty' remarks irresponsible, not surprising, says PM Anwar

SERDANG: It is irresponsible for a former prime minister to insult any race in the country, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The Prime Minister said that the statement by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad about Indians being "disloyal" to the country was nothing new coming from someone whom Anwar alleged always had prejudices against races.

Anwar was speaking to the media after officiating the “AI for Rakyat” programme at the Universiti Putra Malaysia here today (Jan 16).

“I do not regard Dr Mahathir’s statements on Indians not being loyal to the country as relevant.

“I find it irresponsible of him to make such statements to insult any race whereas he was a prime minister for many years.

ALSO READ: Dr M’s remarks against Indian community roundly slammed

“He is well known for his views - that the Malays are all lazy except for himself, and the Chinese are also not loyal to the country except for a few of his cronies.

“I disagree completely with such statements as all Malaysians who are loyal should be looked at as one and we must look at the strength of the whole rakyat (not as races),” said Anwar.

In a recent interview with a Tamil news channel based in Chennai, India, Dr Mahathir claimed that Malaysian Indians are not completely loyal to the country because they still identify with their country of origin.

The former premier also said that non-Malays should fully assimilate and "become Malay".

Dr Mahathir's remarks have drawn criticism from various leaders and groups.