In a meet-and-greet session organised by Hindraf, which was recently named as Pakatan Harapan’s strategic partner, Mahathir said his administration met many of MIC’s demands, but the Barisan Nasional component was not able to “use facilities created and funds allocated in a proper way” for maximum effect.
“Because of this, it appears as though I didn’t do anything.”
The PPBM chairman said this in response to accusations from an audience member at the forum that Mahathir had not done anything for the Indian community during his 22-year reign.
However, Mahathir said although his administration couldn’t fulfil all of MIC’s demands, it had met many of them and this had been acknowledged in the past by MIC.
“So it is not fair to say I did nothing for Indians.”
Without naming anyone, Mahathir then trained his guns on a former MIC leader, whom he said had remained in the government even after he stepped down as prime minister in 2003.
It is believed he was referring to former MIC president and former works minister S Samy Vellu.
Mahathir claimed the MIC leader had never allowed anyone to threaten his position.
“If you challenged him, you will be thrown out of MIC.”
When asked as to why he did not act against the leader over his managing of the party and other issues, Mahathir said he could not interfere in MIC’s internal affairs.
Later, Mahathir said it was good to have Indian representatives from different parties so they could compete with each other to better serve the people.
This, he said, was what DAP and PKR — which are Pakatan Harapan component parties — had, noting there were Indian MPs and assemblymen from the two parties.
“In BN, it is only MIC and just the special leader (during my time).”
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