Tun M: Chinese Are Straying Away From The M’sian Culture By Using Chopsticks and Not Hands

Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had a media meet yesterday (12 December) in MPH Mid Valley for his new book, Capturing Hope: The Struggle Continues For A New Malaysia.

During the launching event, he had a lot to say, but perhaps what truly captured the attention of the audience was his controversial take on the identity of the Chinese by associating it with the use of chopsticks.

WORLD OF BUZZ was there during the event and we actually heard Tun M’s words.

“For example, the Chinese eat with chopsticks, they don’t eat with their hands. They have not adopted the Malaysian way of eating food. They retain the usage of the chopsticks, which is an identity of China, not Malaysia.

His statement was a reply to the interviewer who asked about the possibility of Malaysia adopting the controversial footsteps to force the assimilation of Indonesian Chinese.

The former Prime Minister revealed that the Chinese community in Indonesia had to assimilate into the local community as they are only 10% of them in the country. On the other hand, in Malaysia, the Chinese highlight about 30% of the population in the country.

He also added that the Chinese and Indian community in Malaysia preserve their own community and their own way of living.

Most of the people did not sit well with what the Langkawi MP had said during the event, including DAP’s Lim Guan Eng himself. Just this evening (13 December), he shared his take on Facebook about the analogy of the Chinese community from Tun M.

“This is not only simplistic but offensive to the Chinese community here. Tun should be reminded that not just China or Taiwan but countries such as Japan, South Korea and Vietnam also uses chopsticks.”

Lim also said that instead of assimilation, Tun M should have focused on integration and that the “chopstick analogy” is one of the many reasons that will lead to separation among the people.

What do you think about the “chopstick analogy?” Do you agree with what the former PM had said? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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