KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s latest remarks on multiracial Malaysia are unconstitutional and a last-ditch effort to remain relevant, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
Responding to a question on whether Dr Mahathir’s remarks would have a decisive impact on Malaysians, Anwar pointed out that the former had lost most of his influence after suffering a decisive defeat in the 15th general election.
“(Mahathir) lost his deposit in Langkawi. I don’t think we should take him very seriously.
“Of course, this is his last, desperate effort to be seen as relevant. I am going to make him irrelevant.
“I am not going to comment on it,” Anwar said during a question-and-answer session during the International Malaysia Law Conference 2023.
He was responding to a question from former Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong, who was moderating the session.
Recently, Dr Mahathir claimed Anwar was beholden to the DAP even though the party only had four ministers in the Cabinet.
The former two-time prime minister also claimed that promoting a multi-ethnic Malaysia is unconstitutional, and alleged that the Federal Constitution is steeped in “Malayness”.
In a series of tweets, Dr Mahathir claimed that the DAP had a “manifesto” to turn the country into a multi-ethnic secular one without a religion of the federation, and that the Anwar administration would collapse if the party’s 40 MPs chose to withdraw their support for the PKR president.
His remark was slammed by many in the government as baseless, including Anwar and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.
The Malaysian Bar has also condemned him for selectively interpreting the Federal Constitution.
