Indonesia group demands Dr Mahathir apologise over 'Bugis pirates' remark

Updated 6 years ago · Published on 21 Oct 2017 12:38AM · 2 Comments

THE Bugis Youth Assembly of Macassar Indonesia (PPBMI) in Jakarta today urged former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to issue an open apology, following his statement that insulted those of Bugis descent, at an opposition gathering in Selangor recently.

PPBMI made the call through a protest memorandum that was handed to the Malaysian ambassador in Indonesia this evening.

PPBMI head Arwin Welhalmina said Dr Mahathir had stooped low by making such insults.

He said the Bugis had succeeded in venturing throughout the world, and Dr Mahathir should realise that the ethnic group had played an important role in the formation of the Malay government and sultanate.

He said although Dr Mahathir’s intention in making the statement was to hurt the feelings of Prime Minister Najib Razak, it affected people of Bugis descent everywhere, especially Indonesia.

Dr Mahathir, in his speech at a rally last Saturday, said Najib’s ancestors were “Bugis pirates”.

Arwin said PPBMI urged Dr Mahathir to apologise and retract his statement, or the group would organise a large-scale demonstration in front of the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta.

Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Zahrain Mohamed Hashim told Bernama that Dr Mahathir should issue an apology immediately as his statement had caused problems for Malaysians in Indonesia.

“As a statesman, Dr Mahathir should not have uttered such words, and now, he has placed the embassy and Malaysians in danger because his statement has angered locals of Bugis descent.” – Bernama, October 20, 2017.

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Comments

  • Tun M only directed the comment to MO1, if you're not MO1 then you shouldn't response. Either you're supportive of chief thief MO1, or you've received his dedak then only you "makan cili terasa pedas"

    Posted 6 years ago by Kuasa Rakyat · Reply

  • Malaysian who were schooling in 60s , 70s and maybe 80s have their Malayan History lesson with information regarding the Bugis tribe. The Bugis are seafarers and piratical in their way of life. Most of the plundering robbing are done in the high seas BUT now we can see the generations have evoles in the DNA structure set up in perpetuating their skills further and reinforce their traits by moving from high seas to safe land in the art of robbing and plundering. Good examples is in our local front where the skill set is horned up further in the shameless lies to fool the rakyat that the loots are donation from some kind soul in the rich bedouin land of camel herders
    Actuall it is already historically stated about the Bugis as pirates and just do not see why the Bugis angst over such a petty small remarks. Can they change the perception of the world. Much ado over nothing!!!!

    Posted 6 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply