Tun M may have retired from the world of politics, but he still has a lot to say about the government and the country in general.
In a recent interview with Indian satellite TV channel Thanthi TV, Tun M claimed that Malaysian Indians are not entirely loyal to Malaysia.
“They want to identify themselves with their countries of origin.”
The former PM said that one should assimilate into Malay and that Malaysian Indians not only speak the Tamil language more, but Bahasa Melayu was also not their main language.
“There are people who consider themselves Indians or Chinese. They do not speak the local language at all. They have their own schools, their own language, their own culture.”
To Dr M, this problem makes the assimilation process challenging. He then came up with another example, saying,
“There are people of many different origins in USA who have forgotten their own language, who speak only English and they do not claim to be citizens except America.”
Dr Mahathir was also asked if Malaysian Indians and Chinese should completely put aside their religions and cultures to behave like Malays for assimilation.
“Yes. Many of them have done that. Those with Indian origin, Arab origin, even European origin, who are now completely Malay because they speak Malay all the time, and practice Malay traditions and customs.”
The host, however, insisted that Malaysian Indians and Chinese are loyal to their country, to which Mahathir said “not completely.”
You can listen to Tun M’s full interview below.
Fellow Malaysians, what do you think of this?
Also read: Tun M: Chinese Are Straying Away From The M’sian Culture By Using Chopsticks and Not Hands
