PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s apology for using a racial slur is accepted, MIC deputy president M. Saravanan said. 

However, Saravanan said the incident should serve as a lesson to other leaders. 

“This should be a lesson to all leaders not to trample on the sensitivities of other races in the country. 

“I have been receiving queries from the media, party members and Malaysian Indians at large over the prime minister using the word ‘keling’ at a forum.

“The video of the prime minister referring to the Tamil language as ‘Bahasa Keling’ has been widely circulated and has caused a furore among the Indian community,” he said in a statement today.

Anwar has explained that he had used the word in a historical context, but Saravanan said the word is derogatory and should be avoided.

“While our prime minister might not have any malice in uttering the word, it had certainly hurt the feelings of the community which has supported the government in the last general election.

“I have personally texted the prime minister over the issue expressing Malaysian Indians’ displeasure over the incident and I hope that it will not recur, especially from our prime minister,” he added

Yesterday Anwar said he was quoting from the book “Hikayat Hang Tuah” when he used the word and had meant no insult.

“Now the term ‘keling’ is disliked by many so I don’t use it. I was only quoting from the book.

“If there is any misunderstanding, I apologise, it was not my intention (to insult). I would be the last person to cast aspersions or insult any ethnicity or religion,” he said. – December 24, 2023.