I thought you were a friend: Tun M’s ‘disloyal Indians’ remark upsets old allies

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has courted controversy once again, after decrying the perceived lack of ‘loyalty’ among Malaysian Indians during an interview with Chennai-based Thanthi TV, drawing criticism from various quarters, including ministers, political figures, and the general public. – Facebook pic, January 17, 2024


I thought you were a friend: Tun M’s ‘disloyal Indians’ remark upsets old allies


Prominent Malaysian Indians who personally know the former prime minister, question the logic of his statements and his definition of loyalty


17 January, 2024


KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s recent comments on the perceived “disloyalty” of Malaysian Indians has not only stirred public controversy but has also disappointed individuals who were once close to him.

For Datuk Sunther Subramaniam, son of late ex-MIC deputy president Tan Sri S. Subramaniam, the veteran politician’s statement appears “illogical” and historically perplexing, considering the significant contributions of previous non-Malay leaders.

“If you ask me, (Dr Mahathir’s) words hurt. I know him personally and he has always been a good family friend. But, his latest rant on Indians not being loyal to the country hit a nerve with me,” Sunther said when contacted by Scoop.

“Non-Malays have contributed to the growth of Malaysia even before independence. History in itself acknowledges this (and) I think he (Dr Mahathir) knows this.

“Why is he asking for non-Malays to speak Malay and adopt the Malay culture in order to be deemed loyal (to the nation)? I don’t see the logic,” he added.

Datuk Sunther Subramaniam said that a citizen’s loyalty should not be assessed solely through “blind allegiance” to their country. – Facebook pic, January 17, 2024


Sunther’s remarks come in response to Dr Mahathir’s controversial assertions aired in an interview with Chennai-based Thanthi TV, drawing criticism from various quarters, including ministers, political figures, and the general public.

During the interview, the former prime minister referred to Malaysian Indians and Chinese as immigrants, saying that they should not identify as Malaysians unless they are recognised as Malays.

He argued that since Malaysian Indians did not speak Malay as their mother tongue or practice Malay culture, customs, or traditions, they should not refer to Malaysia as their home country.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Dr Mahathir’s remarks on the Indian community were “irrelevant” and “irresponsible” for someone who once led the nation.

Anwar said Dr Mahathir’s views that Malaysian Indians are not loyal enough to the country cannot be accepted.


How ‘loyal’ are those who rob the people blind?

Highlighting the considerable deterioration of national unity over the recent decades, Sunther, a former MIC central working committee member, said that a citizen’s loyalty should not be assessed solely through “blind allegiance” to their country.

“In today’s context, loyalty, to me, means being a responsible citizen committed to a country’s values while respecting the diversity of its people and willingly contributing back to society in a positive manner,” he said.

He also stressed that those in a leadership position must have some sort of honour and dignity to curtail attempts to plunder the wealth meant to be utilised for the people’s benefit.

He further suggested that a “loyalty check” should target leaders in powerful positions who may have diverted wealth outside the country or engaged in corrupt practices before pointing fingers at the general populace.

“A good place to start a ‘loyalty check’ would be on those who have divested and parked their wealth outside of the country as well as those who have stolen from the rakyat and abused their power.”


Where does your loyalty lie, Dr Mahathir?

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said most “thinking Malaysians” would not accept the suggestion of total assimilation instead of collaboration and integration. – Malaysian Institute of Management pic, January 17, 2024

Meanwhile, seasoned economist Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, who served as the Transport Ministry secretary-general in 1986 during Dr Mahathir’s tenure as prime minister, expressed similar views.

“Such remarks provide an image that deep down, he (Dr Mahathir) is very race-based in his thinking. It’s unfortunate, because (without such remarks), he could have been highly regarded as a statesman instead of a mere politician.

“For his own sake, I hope he stops making such nasty comments and judgements of which he has no basis,” Ramon told Scoop.

Ramon said that a ‘Malay Malaysia’ will not act as a uniting force within the multicultural and multireligious landscape here as opposed to a ‘Malaysian Malaysia’.

He added that most “thinking Malaysians” would not accept the suggestion of total assimilation instead of collaboration and integration.

Ramon also questioned Dr Mahathir’s definition of loyalty and whether he himself is loyal to the nation, suggesting that the former leader may be loyal to specific interests but not necessarily to the nation.

“What is his definition of loyalty? How do we know if he himself is loyal?” Ramon asked.

“He may be loyal to the rich or the religion (of Islam), but not to the nation.” – January 17, 2024