Bugis group slams Dr M over ‘pirates’ remark

JOHOR BARU: A Bugis group has hit back at Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for referring to the community as “pirates”, with the group stressing that the Bugis were actually warriors known for their bravery against colonial masters.

Johor Bugis Association chairman Datuk Awang Mohamad said it was the British and Dutch who starting calling the community “pirates” because their forefathers stood up for their rights.

“For the Bugis, it is the ultimate insult to be called pirates,” Awang said at a press conference in Taman Pasir Emas near here.

He challenged the former prime minister to return all the awards given to him by Malay Rulers following his remarks.

Awang said most of the Malay rulers in the nation had a Bugis bloodline, adding that such remarks were unbecoming.

“We thought highly of him due to his contributions (to the nation), but now we are disappointed.

“If Dr Mahathir sees Bugis as a bunch of pirates, then he should return the Darjah Kebesaran he received from the Sultan of Johor,” he added.

He also called upon Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is of Bugis descent, to advise Dr Mahathir to retract his statement and apologise to the community.

“Dr Mahathir should not have attacked a person’s lineage, even if he dislikes someone in particular, as it will hurt the feelings of a bigger group,” he said, adding that as a statesman, the veteran’s words had impact.

Historian Kamdi Kamil said the Bugis were proud people known for their fighting spirit and that their predecessors played a huge role in shaping the Malaysian history.

“They are masters of the sea and well known for building boats to travel in the region.

“The Bugis warriors back then knew sea conditions well and could travel without compasses. They made do by relying on the surrounding conditions,” he said.

Dr Mahathir, 92, reportedly told the Sayangi Malaysia, Hapuskan Kleptokrasy rally last Saturday that Malaysia was being led by a prime minister who came from “Bugis pirates”.