COMMENT| In a recent speech, Dr Mahathir Mohamad referred to Malaysian Indians as “keling”. Everyone in this country knows “keling” is used as a derogatory term.

Quoting what he had said: "I want to use a 'keling' word. The keling say 'podah' (get lost).

But why I am not surprised with Mahathir using this word? For being a blackhearted racist is the innate nature of Mahathir.

Over and over during and after his premiership, he has always demonstrated that he has no respect for the Indian community in this country. Lim Kit Siang has beautifully described and informed us that Mahathir is a liar, racist and the greatest enemy of Malaysia. 

Mahathir had done the same in 2016.

In fact, on Aug 6, 2016, Mahathir's current new found friend and supporter P Waythamoorthy took Mahathir to the task at that time for using the term “keling” when referring to the Malaysian Indians.

My dear Indian brothers and sisters, for 22 years as prime minister, Mahathir has only shown to the Indian community his evilness. For 22 years, the Indian community had suffered under Mahathir. For 22 years, Mahathir had treated the Malaysian Indians as third class citizens of this country.

But only now under Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, we are seeing progress in the community. 

Therefore, I call upon my Indian brothers and sisters to continue giving BN the mandate to protect, safeguard and improve the well-being and progress of the Indian community in this country and never allow Mahathir back into power. 

Let me remind everyone about the story of a girl and a snake. 

A snake pleads with a girl to place it in her winter coat because otherwise the snake will freeze and die. The girl says, “No you will bite me and I will die.”

“My dear girl,” laughed the snake, “If I were to bite you, you would die and so would I. Now where is the logic in that?” 

Anyway, the girl eventually puts the snake in her jacket to keep it warm and she continues on her walk. Halfway through the walk, the snake gave the girl a mighty bite. 

As they both lay there dying – the girl from the snake bite and the snake from the cold – the girl resignedly said to the snake:

“Do you mind if I ask you something? You said there'd be no logic in you biting me. Why did you do it?” 

“It has nothing to do with logic,” the snake replied. “It’s just my innate nature.”

All I ask you my dear brothers and sisters of the Indian community is to imagine that Mahathir is the snake and the girl as your child.

Most of you have suffered due to Mahathir. Now you have to decide if you want to place the future of your children in his hands.

S VELL PAARI is MIC treasurer-general.

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