LETTER | I really cannot understand why us Indians are always on the receiving end – jokes are fine, call us macha anytime, imitate us all you like – but there's a limit to it.

I am quite offended by the words "I want to use a 'keling' word, the 'keling' say podah" uttered by a man who led my country for 22 years and now wants another shot at it.

‘Keling’? Seriously? I'd like to think he’s fighting for us to save Malaysia for our future generations, but can a man who stoops to racist slurs for political mileage really be trusted?

Us Indians have been burned by this man, time and again.

Really, what does Mahathir have against us? Every time he has a chance to prove that he cares for our wellbeing too, he fails.

Isn’t it enough that during his time as leader of this country, he denied us of growth opportunities through tight-fisted policies that saw many from this community fall through the cracks never to get up again?

A few days ago, Mahathir blamed stunted development in the Indian community on S Samy Vellu. His exact words: “I might be found guilty of not being attentive, but I thought you were being represented by somebody.

“But he was so big I couldn’t see beyond him.”

Yes, the irreverence continues.

Everything is other people's fault. Yeah, few days ago you blamed the Sarawakians for where they are today, now you blame Samy, and blame the Indians.

That's so convenient for you, Mahathir, to shirk accountability and lay blame on others for the faults that happened when you were in charge.

But if all you do is lay blame on others for poor decisions and problems that occurred during your time, then to us you were a poor leader.

Deny it as much as you want Mahathir, but a community that bears these scars will always remember.

Enough is enough. We are tired of being the scapegoats of your political games.

And please, have respect for us Indians.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.