On 95th birthday, Dr M vows to keep fighting 'wealth inequality'
Dr Mahathir Mohamad has vowed to continue struggling for the good of the country and to solve wealth inequality, on the occasion of his 95th birthday.
He said a fair distribution of wealth would solve racial conflict in Malaysia.
"As far as I am concerned, if I am well enough I will continue to struggle for the good of this country, this multiracial country...
Dr Mahathir Mohamad has vowed to continue struggling for the good of the country and to solve wealth inequality, on the occasion of his 95th birthday.
He said a fair distribution of wealth would solve racial conflict in Malaysia.
"As far as I am concerned, if I am well enough I will continue to struggle for the good of this country, this multiracial country.
"We need to ensure everybody gets a fair share of the wealth and the good things of this country.
"When that happens there will be no more racial clashes or differences of opinion," he said in a YouTube video message.
The nonagenarian's remarks come two weeks after he was criticised for perpetuating the narrative that Chinese Malaysians in the country are rich.
"We have a problem with Malaysian Chinese. [Laughs] They have very dynamic people, they have become extremely rich in Malaysia and they own practically all the towns in Malaysia. This is not healthy.
“You know, even if there is a single race, the disparities between rich and poor have led to revolutions, to violence and all that. We find that in Malaysia, the disparity between town and country is amplified by the disparity between the Chinese in the towns and the Malays in the rural areas. We need to correct that.
“I think many Chinese accept that, but, of course, some who lose out on a certain project that they want may not feel happy about that," he had said in an interview with Asia Times.
Mahathir had also previously said that Malays would not support multiracial parties, a perceived dig at PKR and its president Anwar Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, the former prime minister in his video today also expressed his hope that the country's press will continue reporting "real true news" that would help the country develop.
He also thanked all those who wished him a happy birthday.
"I realise that 95 is very old age but I'm happy to be able to accept your good wishes," he said.
Report this comment
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.