M'sians yet to be excited by 1Malaysia, says Dr M

Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said that Chinese educationists' insistence on keeping communities segregated has hampered efforts to forge racial unity in the country.

"We tried to do something about it, but there were objections. For example, we though since we were going to have Chinese, Malay and Indian schools, why not put them on a campus so at least they will come in contact with one another - that they knew this is a multiracial country.

"But the Chinese educationists vehemently objected to have their children go near Malay children. That's the effect of their opposition. If that is not racist, I don't know what is," he said in an interview with online video portal The Malaysian Observer (MobTV).

Mahathir was responding to a question by interviewer Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos on whether the country was excited over Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's 1Malaysia concept.

To this, he said: "No, at the moment, people are still talking about themselves, about their race, rights and privileges.

"You must remember privileges are not only Malays or bumiputera, the non-Malays are also privileged because only in this country are they allowed to have their language, culture and school system.

"We are not one at all, we find people are still segregated. Under the British, of course, Indians stayed in the estates, Malays in the rural areas and the Chinese lived in the cities," he said.

In the interview uploaded on Thursday, Mahathir chastised "Malaysian Malaysia" concept - DAP's slogan inherited from Singapore's PAP - claiming that the equality it advocated would remove certain handicaps accorded to the "less capable race" so that others could "take everything for themselves".

' Debates wouldn't change minds'

While concurring that the emergence of a debate culture in the country could do "some good", the former premier appeared skeptical.

"I suspect people have already fixed their minds on many things, no matter what you say. For example, when I say something in my defence, those who are against me will continue (to criticise me)," he said.

He said that there was no benefit in debating with Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, and instead took a swipe at the PKR supremo for suing his political opponents to "shut people up".

The elder statesman adds that during his tenure as premier, he had never once sued any of his political opponents for defamation.

In the 32-minute interview , Mahathir also discussed at length about his children, including youngest son Mukhriz, who has emerged on the political scene following his retirement.

"I was very selfish, I was thinking about myself, I don't want people to accuse me of nepotism or of trying to set up a dynasty.

"So I actually told my children not to be involved in politics, not to do business of the government, after I retire, then they can do it.

Mahathir backs son, ticks off daughter

As a result, Mahathir said his son did not get a head start like himself - who joined politics at the age of 21 - and is now struggling to establish his name.

However, the former premier said he would now support his son's political career in any posts, including for the position of Kedah menteri besar.

The outspoken ex-prime minister also publicly disagreed with his daughter's association with electoral reform group Bersih and her advocacy against the marginalisation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) community.

"Maybe because she has no political ambition, so she speaks her mind. I cannot agree with the things that she is doing.

"Nowadays, you can't tell your children, please stop this because they have a mind of their own.

"But I do hope that she will realise what she is doing is not good for herself, not good for the ruling party and I think she should be sensitive about her brother's plan, who is contesting in the election," he said.

He added that while he could understand his daughter's compassion for the LGBT community, he cautioned her to draw the line where it comes to endorsing homosexuality.

"She has never said that she supports this. I hope she doesn't," he said.

In his parting message, the longest serving prime minister of 22 years said he was worried that emotions were being played to create the impression that the government was bad and should be removed.

"If this country goes to the dogs, we only have ourselves to blame," he warned.