AHMAD Zahid Hamidi has chided former Attorney General Tommy Thomas for making insensitive remarks about the government. 

The Umno president said that Thomas’ remarks at a recent forum was Malay-phobic, insensitive and irresponsible.

Zahid was referring to the comparison made by Thomas on the current government dominated by Malays and the previous Pakatan Harapan-led (PH) administration. 

“He (Thomas) stated that the current ‘failed government’ is dominated by Malays. 

“He also praised the then-PH government although the 22-month-long administration was also led by Malays,” he said in a statement.

Zahid said that many who were in the previous government (PH) are now in the current administration. 

“The (current government) not only comprises Malays but also Indians, Chinese and Dayaks.”

“This means Thomas is extremely obsessive and prejudiced to the extent of labelling the Malays without looking into a more thorough and wider perspective.”

On Saturday, Thomas in a forum titled “Dark Forces Towards GE15” had suggested that the opposition bloc focus on three “critical areas” to repeat the outcome of the 14th General Election.

Zahid said that Thomas had said the current government is an illustration of “Malay Supremacy” and the last two and a half years the Cabinet has been completely dominated by Malays.

He added that Thomas had also reportedly claimed that the reason Dr Mahathir Mohamad had resigned as prime minister was due to the impression that his government was not “Malay enough”.

The Bagan Datuk MP said that Thomas had overlooked the 2021 statistics that showed the Malay and Bumiputera communities accounted for 69.8% of the country’s population, followed by Chinese (22.4%) and Indians (6.8%).

“What does this statistic mean? It means that any political party cannot ignore the ethnic group that forms the majority in any political decisions and formation of the government.”

“The distribution of positions in the cabinet should also be based on the country’s population, which has happened since before and accepted by all. It has also become a democratic practice without neglecting any ethnic minority,” he said.

Zahid also claimed that Thomas had forgotten that he was appointed attorney-general by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as Malaysia was a nation that upholds harmony and unity.

“It is unwise for Thomas to make such an accusation. It shows that he is prejudiced. We should reject racist behaviour which could disrupt religious harmony,” he said. – September 20, 2022.