KUALA TERENGGANU: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been urged to do some self-reflection and avoid from issuing statements deemed as 'melalok' (divisive) that are detrimental to the country's unity.
Terengganu Umno liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Nik Dir Wan Ku reminded Dr Mahathir that the latter became the country's fourth and seventh prime minister from 1981 until 2003 and from 2018 and 2020 respectively, and that he received support from the Indians and Chinese communities in the country at that time.
"His statement that the Malaysian Indians are not loyal to the country are extreme and that it is disconnected from the situation on the ground.
"Dr Mahathir should realised that without the support from the Malaysian Indians and Chinese, he and his family could never lead a comfortable life like they do today."
Nik Dir advised Dr Mahathir to refrain from issuing statements that would hurt the feelings of the Indians and Chinese.
"Personally, I think Dr Mahathir should look after and take good care of his health rather than issuing statements that will hurt the feeling of other races in the country," he said.
During an exclusive interview with Thanthi TV, Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying that he was of the view that Malaysian Indians and Chinese are not completely loyal to the country as they still want to identify themselves with their respective countries of origin.
Such a remark was met with anger and widely criticised by several political leaders and activists.