“Don't Ever Touch On My Race!” Dr M’s Suit Against Zahid Expected To Open A Can Of Worms?

“Don't Ever Touch On My Race!” Dr M’s Suit Against Zahid Expected To Open A Can Of Worms?

16 Feb 2024



JK Joseph
Repentant ex-banker who believes in truth, compassion and some humour

Credit Image: Kosmo.com


Ex-PM Dr Mahathir’s much-awaited defamation suit against his former Umno colleague and current deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is a clear example of why it's never advisable to touch on sensitive racial issues in a multiracial country where no one can be 100% certain of his or her own racial origin; furthermore, this peculiar court case might even prompt some to be reminded of the popular saying: “those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones at others!”


Dr Mahathir, 98, who had sparked a major controversy in the country recently by claiming that Indians and Chinese were not “real citizens” of Malaysia and that they were not loyal to the country, had originally filed the defamation suit against Zahid in 2022, claiming that the latter had issued a false, slanderous and malicious statement deliberately during a Kelana Jaya Umno division meeting back in 2017.


The former Langkawi MP also said the video recording of the event, which contained false and slanderous statements, was republished via Astro AWANI's YouTube in a two-minute and 40-second-long video clip.


Meanwhile, in his statement of claim, the ex-Umno president said that Zahid had exhibited malicious intent by issuing defamatory statements that exposed him to dissatisfaction and hatred within the community, adding that because of that his status as a statesman and an influential political figure in the eyes of the world has become adversely affected.


For the record, the two-time prime minister had claimed that Zahid’s statement was meant to imply that he was not born a Malay or a Muslim and that his original name was Mahathir son of Iskandar Kutty which may allude to Indian ancestry.


In his defence, Zahid had said that the name “Mahathir son of Iskandar Kutty” was in reference to an individual based on information from an old copy of an identity card which is typically issued by the National Registration Department.


Nevertheless, there is bound to be some disappointment among many in the country as the former prime minister was reportedly admitted to the National Heart Institute since January 26 and is thus unfit to attend the hearing on February 13 which has now been postponed to July 19.


Meanwhile, according to BNN, unlike other cases, this trial, which is expected to be a significant event in Malaysia's political landscape, has garnered widespread attention and raised questions about the boundaries of free speech and the consequences of public discourse in the country.


Moreover, as the trial unfolds, it will not only determine the outcome of this high-profile defamation suit but also set a precedent for future discussions on identity, politics, and the power of words in Malaysia.


Incidentally, it will also be watched with keen interest by many non-Malays in the country who in the past have been at the receiving end of his unrestrained, verbal onslaughts which often touched on their ancestry and their rights; this is because, many times the ex-PM himself had cynically questioned the non-Malays’ status as citizens of this country - even alluding to them as “2nd class occupants” - causing a great deal of pain and grief to many of them whose ancestors have lived and toiled in this country for generations - even centuries!