I'm not a journalist by profession. Not even academician. Kindly tolerate my grammar.
My past exposures were more in the field of sales & marketing. As an Area Manager for some time, I wrote only reports which was pretty easy as I dealt with facts & figures. What more my secretary always come handy.
So writing of this nature has always been challenging for me. More so, when it's gonna have a direct reference to our well known ex-premier for 22 years, Tun Mahathir Mohamad.
I was already contemplating of doing so (writing) even before the GE13 took place. Nothing personal. It's my indifference to most of his opinion & views especially in relation to the recently concluded GE13.
His statement after statements that have sparked my desire to counter out of disagreement but was not motivated enough until I read his most recent blog post.
I found it discomforting if not offending in nature. His inflamatory 'propaganda' so far has erned him names such as a hypocrite and at worst, a racist - when he could have been an idol if not a symbol of unity to ALL races of this country irrespective of origin, religion and region - let alone political devide.
His target now seemed surrounding the Chinese and DAP in particular - casting the latter as a racist party.
To my understanding, simplest meaning of racist is when one race find another of different race unbearable and/or untolerable.
His 'attack' (untolerable?) on the Chinese voters had been seen as if he himself is being racist. As a consequent, many were disturbed and that has led Alor Setar MP Gooi Hsiao Leung with some supporters lodging police report and held a protest againts Dr Mahathir infront of the Alor Setar district police headquarters.
Dr Mahathir among others wrote that the Malays will continue to be sidelined by the Chinese economically and politically and that the large turnout of Chinese in post GE13 rallies (black505) is proof of their racism and that such development will lead to serious race polarisation.
To the Chinese in general, that statement has been catagorised as an unfair attack. They stressed that by voting DAP (a component of Pakatan Rakyat) does not mean they are being racist.
DAP, till this date is a legitimate political party registered with the Registrar of Societies. If voting DAP is racist, voting MCA or Gerakan is not?
One don't need a degree to form an opinion on Dr Mahathir's blog post. I'm saddened at the extent Dr Mahathir is criticised if not rediculed the moment his blog post was published. I guess that's the price he has to pay.
One has written if I may quote " Can anyone dispute that if there is one person who has spoken more about race, racism, racial sentiment & racial hostility (if there is actually any such hostility) it is none other than former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad, at least in recent years?"
Writer further wrote that "It's simply disgusting to read his speeches & his press statements as he appears to go on a vandetta with anyone opposing Umno-BN"
Actually, many had written in retaliation to his blog post. I wish to quote another who wrote "My question to Mahathir is if DAP & the Chinese colluded to cheat the Malays, why did the Indians desert MIC, PPP and a few other Indian parties in BN?"
Some suspected Dr Mahathir is trying to break up the strong bond among the PR coalition. At the same time there are others who felt Dr Mahathir has forgotten that if not for the Chinese votes in 1999 general election, BN may have lost.
I will not find sufficient space to accomodate views of the people (some strongly worded) in this post and that what I had wanted to write has been brought up.
Unlike pre-independence - Nowadays, information are desiminated at great speed with the internet.No territorial restriction whatsoever.
At the same time, people are no more dependent on govt controlled medias be it electronic or print for news & information.
Vibrant interaction knew no boundry and very unlikely anything is missed.
Nobody can stop Dr Mahathir from talking as doing so may be taken as violating his right for freedom of speech.
Only provisions within the law if so requires, can determine the implication each of his speech to the people and nation. Provided 'immunity' is not granted or selective prosecution is not apllied.
For a person who had been prime minister for 22 years, who birthed the popular 2020 vision, Bangsa Malaysia concept and who has been at the highest position in Malaysian politics, it's entirely his choice as to how he wants to be known & remembered.
Great Leader for ALL Malaysian OR An outrageous and most unbecoming of a Leader of ALL Malaysian.
With all the due respect, I sincerely hope Dr Mahathir could still contribute to unite ALL Malaysian regardless of race, religion and region - with one objective of building a New Malaysia where ALL can live happily & harmoniously.
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