“Malaysians have to learn to understand each other, slowly forget the racial origins and think of themselves as pure Malaysians,” – PM Mahathir.
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in an interview with Channel NewsAsia, was asked about what the new Malaysia could be for millennials in the upcoming years.
“Malaysia is not only multiracial, it is multilingual, multireligious and multicultural. Despite the differences, we still live together, more or less at peace with each other but of course, they are little conflicts, and I think this is what they are going to inherit,” he answered.
Realistically, verbal tensions between the ethnic groups do occur on occasions but actual altercations are rare. The last racial riot happened in 1969.
The new multi ethnic Malaysian government will continue its promise to uphold the right of Malays and indigenous people, as stated in the constitution but other ethnic groups would not be neglected at all.
Apart from being a multi-ethnic government, there are more than 40 per cent of the electorate who are under 40 years old and it is believed that this was a major reason that helped them rise to power.
“I have this belief that the young have ideas, the old have experience,” he replied when asked about what a 92-year-old can offer the younger generations.
“If it’s only the young, they may have ideals which are impractical. For the old, they may be too negative about new ideas. But when there is a combination between the young and old, then I think we can resolve things much more easily, due to experience on one hand, and idealism on the other hand,” he added.
As revealed by Syed Saddiq in anĀ interview in April, “One thing about Dr Mahathir is that he listens, and he listens well, especially if it comes from young people and he knows that the suggestions do not come with any personal motive or hidden motives behind it.”
How will the new direction in Malaysia’s political landscape change the outlook of the country in the future? Only time will tell but we are excited and full of optimism on what’s to come!
Also read: Dr M Says He Canāt Always Be Popular as the āMahathir Factorā Wonāt Last Forever
