FORMER prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the younger generation’s lack of interest in politics is because they are too comfortable with the present.

“When they are comfortable, they just accept what is around them, but we must make young people aware that what they have now may not be the same in the future,” he said when appearing as a panellist on the “Minggu Negarawan” programme in Putrajaya today.

Mahathir said the younger generation needs to learn about the previous generation’s struggles to gain independence and free the country from colonialism.

Political analyst Prof Sivamurugan Pandian, who was also one of the panellists, said division in society due to political differences is unhealthy and needs to be overcome by finding common ground.

“This is to maintain unity. (The situation) needs to be remedied immediately for the sake of the country. We have to defend the peace and security of the country,” he said.

When met by reporters after the programme, Mahathir said he had cooperated with authorities’ investigation over alleged disparaging remarks made against the royal institution as published by a news portal on June 6.

Mahathir said he gave his statement to police at his office at Yayasan Al-Bukhary, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

Yesterday, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said he recorded Mahathir’s statement, adding that the case is being investigated under section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. – Bernama, August 30, 2023.