Dr M: Safeguard racial sensitivities

‘We should not slight the feelings of any one race by criticising or using harsh words’

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has told Pakatan Harapan members to safeguard racial and religious sensitivities and not air their views publicly.

“We are a multiracial party and the sensitivities of the respective races should be safeguarded.

“We should not slight the feelings of any one race by criticising or using harsh words against a particular race or followers of a religion,” said the Prime Minister at the Johor state leaders retreat here yesterday.

Dr Mahathir said Muslim and non-Muslim members should also refrain from making statements concerning the religious matters of others.

“If there are problems with relations, the matter should be referred to the government instead of expressing our views to the masses. This is not our way.

“The matter should be discussed within the parties so that we can find a resolution.

“Finding a resolution requires compromise,” he said, and quipped that he used to criticise Tunku Abdul Rahman for making too many compromises.

“Now I am the one making compromises,” he said.

Dr Mahathir’s advice comes in the wake of recent incidents involving race and religion, including a case where a 68-year-old jobless man was charged at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court on Wednesday over an offensive cari- cature, said to be of Prophet Muhammad, which was posted on his Facebook account.

Also on Wednesday, a 37-year-old man was charged at the Klang magistrate’s court for placing three idols in a surau last week.

On the same day, Attorney General Tommy Thomas lodged a police report over an allegation made on social media that he was anti-Islam.

Dr Mahathir also told Pakatan members with positions in the government to take a more friendly approach towards the business community and investors.

“There are still those who have a socialist mindset and view businesses as capitalists that need to be opposed.

“But when we become the government, we can no longer condemn the capitalistic system because it is this system that has enriched the nation,” he said, adding it was crucial for Pakatan administrators to view businesses and investors as “friends and partners”.

“We need to help them and enable them to succeed as successful businesses would translate to higher revenue for the government,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said Johoreans must also speak up on the “morally wrong” water deal which favours Singapore.

“I don’t hear Johoreans talking about this.

“They don’t feel pressured and they are waiting for the federal government’s negotiations on the matter,” he said.

He said Singapore was a rich nation and has been exploiting a 1926 deal to purchase untreated water from Johor at a cost of three sen per 1,000 gallons.

If there are problems with relations, the matter should be referred to the government instead of expressing our views to the masses. This is not our way.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad