This comes after Malaysiakini quoted the former prime minister as claiming certain non-Malays wanted to change Malaysia’s “name and ownership”.

In a Twitter thread, Syed Saddiq said Malaysians of all races and religions loved their home country equally and wanted the nation to become developed and governed well.

“I know absolutely no non-Malays today who wants to change our country’s name. I know many who call Malaysia their one and only home.

“Dear Tun (Mahathir), the old politics of division must stop,” said Syed Saddiq, who was youth and sports minister under the Mahathir-led Pakatan Harapan government.

Earlier today, Mahathir reportedly alleged that people “from other countries” wanted Malaysia to go from being “Tanah Melayu” to a multiracial country.

The former Umno president was quoted as saying “these people” did not recognise Malays as the “founders and builders” of Malaysia.

Syed Saddiq’s party colleague, Lim Wei Jiet, also hit out at Mahathir for his remarks, rubbishing it as “racist nonsense”.

The Muda co-founder maintained that non-Malays did not want to take over Malaysia or change its name.

“We just want to live peacefully and ensure our children get a decent shot in life,” he said in a Twitter post.

Meanwhile, DAP’s Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan accused Mahathir of intentionally stoking racial enmity with his comments.