Ramasamy, Dr M trade ‘racist’ barbs over ‘pointless’ meet up with unity minister

January 20, 2024

Ramasamy, Dr M trade ‘racist’ barbs over ‘pointless’ meet up with unity minister

PETALING JAYA: Any meeting between national unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad over the latter’s recent comments on non-Malays is pointless, says P Ramasamy.

“Do you think Dr Mahathir is going to discard his racist views after getting input from Aaron? The meeting can proceed but it serves no purpose,” the former Penang deputy chief minister told FMT.

Ramasamy was responding to a post on X (formerly Twitter) today by Mahathir, who said the former was “scared” that his racism would be proven in the meeting with Aaron.

However, Mahathir did not elaborate on how Ramasamy’s alleged racism would be proven.

“I am prepared to meet him (Ramasamy), even. But he is scared,” he said.

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However, Ramasamy said that there was nothing to be proven as Mahathir was a “known racist”.

“Dr Mahathir calling me a racist has proved beyond doubt that I am doing the right thing. Coming from a proven arch-nationalist, it is an honour for me.

“What is the purpose of meeting him? Why should I be scared of meeting him? Childishness has its limits,” he said.

Controversy arose recently after Mahathir said in an interview with Chennai-based Tamil news channel Thanthi TV that Malaysian Indians must remember they are Malaysians more than they are immigrants from other countries.

He claimed that Malaysian Indians should fully assimilate and “become Malay”, and that while they have certain rights, “they cannot claim that this country belongs (to them)”.

His comments drew criticism from Aaron and two ex-MPs from DAP, among others, with the former saying a statesman like Mahathir should help foster unity.