‘Dr M has post-power syndrome’
KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s derogatory remarks against the Bugis community shows he has “post-power syndrome”, said former Indonesian law and human rights minister Hamid Awaludin yesterday.
He said after Dr Mahathir ended his tenure, he had issues with those who took over his position, including Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“Even if he wants to pick a fight, he should never raise the issue of race and ethnicity,” he said at a press conference.
“It is unbelievable that there are still politicians who play the race card.”
He said the Bugis community had contributed a lot to
Malaysia’s economy.
“The palm oil industry in remote areas in
Malaysia and the farming industry is dominated by the Bugis community.”
He said Dr Mahathir’s remarks would create divisiveness, adding that he should apologise.
Malaysia Umno Youth executive council member Datuk Hazali Abu Hassan said attempts to link a race to piracy was an act of desperation.
“Has Dr Mahathir forgotten that many from the Bugis community helped him. He must remember that many Bugis descendants played a role in helping the nation gain independence and in developing it,” he said.
Present at the press conference was Umno youth chief Datuk Mohd Razlan Mohammad Rafii.