Ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and supposedly racist policies under his rule are to be blamed for the decline of the Indian community in the country, claimed MCA.

“In fact his racially inclined policies have partly retarded the growth and progress of the Indian community and some single him out for the sorry state of the Indian community today,” the Chinese party’s Religious Harmony Bureau chairperson, Ti Lian Ker, alleged in a statement.

Ti was returning fire to Mahathir's dig that the party is an opportunistic “Umno appendage” that has abandoned its founder Tan Cheng Lock’s principles, by its blind support for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

He countered further that MCA is a party that subscribes to the rule of law and the people’s will and is always loyal to the government of the day.

“We have been consistent and had supported Dr Mahathir on the same principles when there were allegations of mega scandals against him during his 22-year tenure as a premier,” added Ti.

He argued that Mahathir should stay in the past as his presence is no longer relevant to today’s politics, relating that not only is the ex-PM no longer part of Umno, his new party Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia has also failed to be of relevance to the Malays.

“He is in no position to comment on or judge MCA now,” sniped Ti, adding that this is especially as Mahathir has lost his self-respect and dignity when he ate his own words by kowtowing to Anwar whom he sacked and Lim Kit Siang whom he equated to a “communist” before.

‘Stubborn person’

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, MCA Publicity Bureau chairperson Chai Kim Sen rued the fact that Mahathir does not act like other sedentary retired elder statesmen should, and is instead acting like a stubborn person who refused to let go of politics.

“Elder statesmen throughout the world who have retired as heads of state generally tend to go incognito and do not meddle any more in mainstream politics. They would focus on lecture tours, charity work or international diplomacy.

“Unfortunately at age 90, Mahathir still harbours hopes of becoming PM again. He remains stubborn in desiring to topple any prime minister who does not serve to his whim and fancy, as he was so successful in removing three deputy prime ministers,” he said.

However, Chai said that the party acknowledge that Mahathir will remain a stubborn person and will not stop firing more bullets at MCA, his convenient punching bag for the time being.

“It is high time he listens to the criticisms that everyday Malaysians have against his policies for bringing the country down,” concluded Chai.

Mahathir has been engaged in a tit-for-tat game of critique and lambast with supporters of PM Najib, whom he is campaigning to unseat. This exchange of fire with MCA is one of many battles with the other side that he is engaged in.