COMMENT | Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin once declared that he was Malay first. That statement by itself was innocuous.

The question I would have asked him when he was prime minister was whether he was prime minister for all Malaysians.

Tunku Abdul Rahman was clear on that point. He declared himself as the prime minister for all Malaysians. Where does it leave Malaysians when our leaders do not regard themselves as leaders for all Malaysians?

I am Malaysian.

I am a Malaysian of Indian descent. My parents were born in Malacca. My father served in the civil service, working in Telecoms. My mother was a nurse. Most of my aunts and uncles were teachers or government officers.

The civil service was my family’s calling, our contribution to a young and hopeful nation.