Look into the mirror, Dr M and Muhyiddin told
Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin have been urged to reflect on their own shortcomings before condemning Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Issuing this advice, Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Maicci) president Kenneth Eswaran also cautioned the pair not to instigate an Arab Spring in Malaysia.
The businessman noted how Mahathir asked Najib to resign based on the negative comments on Facebook and Twitter.
Eswaran said Mahathir should first read what is said of him on the social media, about his 22-year rule as prime minister.
“He should be reminded how much monetary loss he brought to the then government with his bailouts and rent-seeking business models that not only failed the nation but also his own Malay community, which he now seems to champion for.
“Not to forget that the beneficiaries of his abuse of power were his own kin and friends, not the people.
“Yes, we respect social media opinions and those who make them. These virtual opinions must be blended by the actual opinions and reflect the reality in those issues.
“Mahathir has a lot of learning to do on how social media platforms work and what those opinions shape,” Eswaran (photo) said in a media statement.
As for Muhyiddin, the businessman described him as someone who has been “consistently inconsistent” in his approach towards his role.
“I ask him to look at what he has done during his tenure. How much has he contributed towards nation-building efforts? What has he done for the nation that we can be proud of?
“However, we can indeed remember his infamous remark of ‘Malay first, Malaysian second’ which reeks of racial and communal ideologies,” he said.
Eswaran said he felt compelled to warn Mahathir and Muhyiddin to cease their attempts to bring down a leader using tactics that destablise the nation.
If there are grievances and differing opinions, he said, there are channels to air them and the ultimate test would be at the ballot box.
As statesmen, Eswaran said, the pair should agree to disagree with the leadership and not blemish a democratically elected prime minister to advance their “myopic vision and agenda that is personal and vindictive.”
“Stop destabilising our country for your own interest,” he added.
For more news and views that matter, subscribe and support independent media for only RM0.36 sen a day:
Subscribe now