PASIR GUDANG: The Johor Buginese Association has challenged Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to return the ‘Darjah Kerabat’ medal bestowed upon him by the Sultan of Johor if he truly dislikes the Buginese community.
The association’s president Datuk Awang Datuk Awang Mohamad said this was because Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar was of Buginese descent.
He said as a prominent statesman who served as prime minister for 22 years, Dr Mahathir should know the role played by the Buginese people in Malaysia’s history.
“We were truly shocked that someone of Dr Mahathir’s stature would make such a statement. Even if he hates someone, there is no need to insult his ancestry.
“If he really does not like Buginese people, then he should return the medal that had been awarded to him in the past. He should return the medal to Sultan Ibrahim,” said Awang during a press conference here today.
He was referring to the Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati Pangkat Pertama (DK I), or Most Esteemed Order of the Royal Family of Johor medal, which was bestowed on Dr Mahathir in 1989.
Awang was commenting on Dr Mahathir’s controversial statement during the “Sayangi Malaysia, Hapuskan Kleptokrasy” rally organised by Pakatan Harapan on Oct 14.
The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman had allegedly said that Malaysia was being led by a prime minister who came from Buginese pirates.
“History has shown that the Buginese are skilled sailors and traders. The Buginese were known as brave warriors who were feared by the Dutch and British colonialists.
“In fact, these colonial powers were the ones who first referred to the Buginese community as pirates because we were opposing them and stopping them from taking our resources back to their home countries.”
Awang said the association and its affiliates lodged seven police reports against Dr Mahathir, and will leave the matter to the police to take the necessary action.
He reiterated the stand taken by Persatuan Perpaduan Rumpun Bugis Melayu Malaysia during a protest in Putrajaya yesterday, and demanded for Dr Mahathir to apologise and retract his statement.
“We have not set any deadline for Dr Mahathir but we hope he would do so soon because we do not want to issue to drag on,” said Awang.
He also did not discount the possibility of working with other Buginese associations to take further action if Dr Mahathir failed to meet their demand.
Awang said the Johor Buginese Association represented seven affiliates from Batu Pahat, Pontian, Kota Tinggi, Johor Baru, Pasir Gudang, Benut and Simpang Renggam, with a membership of more than 3,000.