Dr Mahathir defends Waytha Moorthy amid calls to resign

SM Amin SM Amin Updated 5 years ago · Published on 19 Dec 2018 11:58PM · 7 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today defended unity minister P. Waytha Moorthy, saying he is satisfied with the latter's performance so far. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, December 19, 2018.

DR Mahathir Mohamad has defended P. Waytha Moorthy as unity minister, saying he is satisfied with his performance, as his party’s youth wing demands for the minister’s resignation.

The minister courted controversy with his statements during the riots at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple in USJ25, Subang Jaya.

“The people can voice their opinions, but it is up to me to decide. I have not decided yet,” he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

Asked if he’s satisfied with Waytha Moorthy’s performance, he replied in the affirmative.

“I’m OK with his work performance,” he said.

When asked what does he regret most during the question and answer session before that, Dr Mahathir said: “I’m terrible at choosing people.”

Calls were made for Waytha Moorthy to resign after the death of 24-year-old fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim yesterday, three weeks after he was gravely injured in the temple riots on November 27.

As unity minister, he was accused of failing to reduce racial tensions during the riots last month.

Waytha Moorthy had also said that the police failed to control the situation quickly, resulting in the riots.

“We were told at 2.30am that a group of 50 people armed with steel pipes and machetes have entered the Seafield temple and attacked the people in it, including women.

“It is understood that many have been injured and several vehicles set on fire, and five devotees were taken as hostages before they escaped and managed to obtain the identification cards of several attackers.

“The question is, why was there only one patrol car from the Subang Jaya District Police at 4.15am, while the FRU only arrived at 6am,” he had said.

The calls for him to resign include that from a group named the Gerakan Pengundi Sedar (GPS), which launched a petition on Change.org that has gathered 279,156 as of 4pm.

Meanwhile, on the issue of Umno defectors joining Bersatu, Dr Mahathir said the former Umno members will not be taking over his party.

However, he did not discount the possibility that former Umno leaders that entered Bersatu may eventually end up leading the party after elections.

“There is no way to take over the party until the next party polls,” Dr Mahathir said. – December 19, 2018.

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Comments

  • Way to go Mahatir!!!!. Do not have to entertain triviality and racist intention of others..

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

    • PM IS RELYING ON WM TO AN6SOLIDATE HELP FOR MARGINALISED INDIANS?..

      Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • WM SHOULD JUST GET ON WITH HIS TASKS..

      Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • SUCH THINGS EASILY GET SAID DURING CHAOS, IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT & MAY BE DISMISSED?..

      Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • IT BEING A Chaotic situation, the young fireman could have been saved if an SOP had been in place?..

      Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Where was Youth Wing when Teoh Beng Hock was murdered. Why that time no noise from any organisation . Be Mindfull GOD IS WATCHING UR ACTIONS.

    Posted 5 years ago by Tharan Singh · Reply

    • Bersatu was only formed after the TBH case...

      Posted 5 years ago by Sharizal Shaarani · Reply