Contrary to the citizenship-for-votes allegations, foreign immigrants given citizenship don’t always vote BN, claimed former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

bn supreme council mt meeting sapp sabah issue 190608 pairin kitingan “Actually it benefits the opposition,” argued the veteran politician, pointing out that PBS strongman Joseph Pairin Kitingan (left) won, and BN lost in the elections.

“They are Malaysian citizens and it is their right to vote for their choice,” argued Mahathir further.

Speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur after launching the book Antarctica: Malaysia’s journey into the ice that chronicles our country’s research activities at the South Pole, the former premier was asked on whether revelations of possible misconduct unearthed during the ongoing royal commission of inquiry into immigration in Sabah will damage BN’s hold there.

He said that despite the matter being depicted as being a government ploy to get more votes, it may have instead given the ballot into opposition-friendly hands.

Mahathir reiterated that under his direct orders, only qualified immigrants are selected for citizenship, adding however that whatever happened on the ground may have been otherwise.

Perkasa not out to insult Christians

Previously, Mahathir had pointed the finger to his then deputy, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and rogue implementing officers on the ground as the culprits of wrongdoings, pointing out that the government had taken action against officers involved and claimed he had “knowledge” of possible misconduct by Anwar.

NONE Quizzed on whether action should be taken against Malay rights NGO Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali for his statement allegedly urging that Malay versions of the Bible with the word ‘Allah’ in them to be burnt, Mahathir downplayed the matter.

“He was commenting on standard government procedures to dispose of publications that contravene laws, that is by burning. I don’t think he meant to insult the Bible,” reasoned Mahathir.

He also saw nothing wrong with Penang BN featuring South Korean overnight sensation Psy to perform his ‘Gangnam Style’ during a planned Chinese New Year gathering in the northern state.

“It’s their right to do so, if the people of Penang like those kinds of shows, let them.”

Malaysiakini also racist

On the topic of racism, Mahathir mentioned in passing that "people like Malaysiakini , like the DAP" were racist. However, he did not elaborate on his remark.

Dr Mahathir earlier launched the coffee table book Antarctica: Malaysia's journey to the ice produced by the National Antarctic Research Centre (NARC).

The book, which has 275 pages of text and 366 photographs, was published in collaboration with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) with funding from the Universiti Malaya and the Higher Education Ministry.

According to the news agency, Antarctica: Malaysia's journey to the ice gives an elaborate account of the icy continent, its geology, climate, flora and fauna, and the scientific research stations as well as the work of the multinational group of scientists and researchers who focus their efforts there.

It also relates the aspiration of Malaysia to persuade the international community to regard and accept Antarctica as a common heritage of mankind and utilise the conducive atmosphere it offers for research that will benefit humanity.

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