In a statement, the former international trade and industry minister called for Malaysians to stay united by respecting and accepting the cultural, ethnic and religious diversity in the nation.
“It’s already 2024. Let us all continue to respect our diversities and accept them wholeheartedly. Let us all be united and continue to build a stronger, competitive and well-respected Malaysia.
“We do not need to question one another on things pertaining to loyalty and love for our nation,” she said, in an apparent reference to recent comments made by Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The former prime minister, whom Rafidah served under, reportedly said ethnic Indians were not “completely loyal to Malaysia”, in a recent interview.
Rafidah said many Malaysians of various ethnicities have done the country proud in various industries at the international level, adding that some did so without financial support from the government.
“Still, they remain Malaysians. They did it all as Malaysians,” she added.
She urged Malaysians not to let politics cause any division among them and to continue building a “stronger, competitive and well-respected Malaysia”.
Mahathir’s remarks were made in a recent interview with Thanthi TV, a Tamil news channel based in Chennai, India.
He said Indians in Malaysia must remember they are Malaysians more than they are immigrants from other countries.
He reportedly claimed that Malaysian Indians want to identify themselves with their country of origin but should instead fully assimilate and “become Malay”.
While Mahathir agreed when the interviewer pointed out that the Federal Constitution enshrines the rights of all minorities, he said that while Malaysian Indians “have certain rights, they cannot claim that this country belongs (to them)”.
He drew brickbats from various quarters for his remarks, including national unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang, digital minister Gobind Singh Deo, Muda and a few former DAP MPs.
Netizens of all races also took to social media to criticise Mahathir for his comments.