The organisers had previously stipulated that all questions had to be submitted prior to the event.
However, things turned awry when a participant got up to ask the former prime minister why he had not intervened in the Maika Holdings debacle.
This was not a question submitted beforehand, hence a Hindraf member told off the participant, saying that tonight’s forum was not a “personal forum”.
This naturally led to voices being raised and some heckling from the audience. The organisers then intervened saying that the question-and-answer session had to be wrapped up.
This led to another audience member protesting the decision saying it was unfair.
Mahathir, who led the nation for 22 years, however stepped in and said he would answer more questions and fielded three additional questions before the organiser brought the event to a close.
Later, Mahathir, who kept his composure throughout the commotion said: “It’s all right. I’m used to it.”
Former minister and MIC president Samy Vellu established Maika in 1982 to enable Malaysian Indians to participate in the country’s economic growth. However, the initiative failed to provide good returns.
In 2000, the failed company was taken over by tycoon G Gnanalingam’s G Team Resources for RM106 million to help resolve issues and pay off shareholders.
Earlier, Mahathir took several questions from the crowd, including on Pakatan Harapan’s plans for the Indian community.
Present were Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, DAP’s M Kulasegaran, PKR’s Dr Xavier Jeyakumar and Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/08/11/%E2%80%98g-team-did-not-buy-maika%E2%80%99/