He said a careful reading of Mahathir’s statement would show that the prime minister had no intention of denigrating Malaysian Indians.

“The word may have its roots in India but it is now a well used and well recognised English word that means outcast,” he said.

“The prime minister was simply making the point that it would be wrong for the government to treat Lynas like an outcast.”

Mahathir said earlier this week that Lynas, which has been the subject of contention over its storage of radioactive waste at its plant in Kuantan, Pahang, should not be treated “like a pariah” and asked to leave the country.

He said such treatment could jeopardise the government’s efforts to attract foreign direct investments.

His remark sparked a backlash from several quarters, including Kapar PKR which lodged a police report against the prime minister demanding, among others, a public apology.

Ignatius, a former high commissioner to Canada, said while he disagreed with Mahathir’s support for Lynas, it would be an overreaction to see his use of the word as an insult to the Indian community.

“There are many issues we should be worried about, but this is not one of them,” he said.