MCA today slammed the idea of Dr Mahathir Mohamad attending the Malay Dignity Congress next month, saying this could aggravate racial tension.

MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker said Dr Mahathir should not attend the October 6 event as he “should be the prime minister for all and at all times”.

He said in a statement today that Dr Mahathir’s presence at the programme would “cause or aggravate tension and cause further uneasiness to the multiracial society of Malaysia”.

In also taking a swipe at DAP, the senator added the party should remind Dr Mahathir of his role to promote national unity and dignity for all Malaysians.

“There should not be any new definition or differentiation of Dr Mahathir as a prime minister for all Malaysians or a Malay leader. 

“DAP, being a senior partner in Pakatan Harapan, must remind him to continue wearing the hat of a leader for all Malaysians without any distinction along racial lines,” said Ti.

At the congress, set to be held at Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur, Dr Mahathir is expected to deliver a mandate for the Malay community.

The event is organised by Pusat Kecemerlangan Melayu Akademi Pengajian Melayu Universiti Malaya.

Its director, Hashim Ismail, had reportedly said that Dr Mahathir would be present “not as prime minister but as a Malay leader”.

Hashim had also said the congress would discuss issues such as education, religion, culture, politics and the economy from a Malay perspective.

Ti, however, questioned if the congress and Dr Mahathir’s attendance there was a racial card being played at a time when PAS and Umno have been stirring up talk about inclusiveness and upholding the spirit and intent of the federal constitution.

“It is ironic that PAS and Umno are now talking of Muafakat Nasional without impairing the position and rights of other ethnic and religious groups, (while) the PH government is now promoting a Malay phobia of ‘maruah Melayu’.

“This is a return of the race-based politics and polemics of the 70s, championed by Malay ultras then that led to abuses and corrupted practices using the Malay agenda or supremacy as a justification,” he said.

He added that the PH government had also initiated and made race-based resolutions at the Kongress Masa Depan Bumiputera, held under the purview of the Economic Affairs Ministry a year ago.

“Why is there a need to drum up another racial tempo along the lines of ‘Malay Dignity’?” – September 28, 2019.