Remember your roots, Mahathir
NGO tells the former premier that he would not have been a Malaysian if Tunku had not granted citizenships to non-Malays during Merdeka
G Vinod, FMT
If Tunku Abdul Rahman did not grant citizenships to non-Malays during Merdeka, Dr Mahathir Mohamad would not have been a Malaysian, claimed an NGO.
Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas) chairman A Rajaretinam made this known during a protest in Brickfields against Mahathir’s call to probe citizenships given during Independence.
The former premier said this in reaction to the damning revelations made in the Sabah RCI, which implicated his administration in granting citizenships to foreigners to reside in Sabah.
Rajaretinam was hinting at Mahathir’s Indian heritage, where the latter’s father was an Indian Muslim immigrant.
Rajaretinam said that not only did Mahathir insult the Tunku with his statement but also the entire Indian community.
He added that the Indians in Malaysia got their citizenships by sacrificing their blood, sweat and tears for the sake of national development, as opposed to the immigrants in Sabah.
“Our ancestors were not refugees. We were brought in by the British government to Malaya to build the country.
“When you talk about plantation, railway and building roads, you will see our ancestors’ sacrifice for the country,” said Rajaretinam.
