Recent comments made by our former Prime Minister (PM) Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed who was the fourth Malaysian PM from 1981 to 2003 regarding the on-going Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the issue of "Citizenships for Votes" in Sabah (an Eastern Malaysian State in Borneo Island) where illegal immigrants were given citizenships allegedly in exchange for votes during elections.
In the online news portal, the former premier admitted that citizenships were given to foreigners in Sabah but emphasized that it was done within the law. (Dr M admits citizenships given out in Sabah, says nothing illegal).
Quoted:-
[Tun Dr. Mahathir] He also reminded reporters of the country’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, claiming that he gave out citizenships to those who were unqualified to receive it. “One should also look back and remember that Tunku Abdul Rahman was worse than me, he gave one million citizenships to people who are not qualified and were not even tested.” “Why is it when he does it, it is not wrong, and when I do it, it’s wrong?” he asked. Dr Mahathir, the country’s longest serving prime minister who was in power from 1981 to 2003, has been accused of spearheading the so-called “Project IC”, in which citizenships were allegedly given to immigrants in exchange for their votes.
Till today, a few days after Dr. Mahathir made the comment and attempt to defame to Tunku Abdul Rahman (Malaysian first Prime Minister who responsible directly in negotiation to acquire independence of Malaya from Britain in 1957, Malaya formed Malaysia together with Sarawak and Sabah in 1963), no one leader from the current ruling coalition of UMNO/ BN spoke a word to defend our "Father of Independence" Tunku Abdul Rahman from the attempt of defamation by former premier Dr. Mahathir. (Tunku Abdul Rahman was also from the party of the current ruling coalition of UMNO/ BN). Dr. Mahathir, instead of furnishing facts and proof that his actions were legal, he resorted to accuse a person that can no longer reply or clarify which is shocking and appaling.
No ONE from UMNO/ BN defended Tunku! The first and foremost leader to defend Tunku is no other than Democratic Action Party's (DAP) leader, Lim Kit Siang (DAP is a member of the opposition pact of Pakatan Rakyat along with PKR and PAS)!
Latest news reported that Dr. Mahathir has suggested a RCI to look into Tunku's grant of citizenships during independence days. Dr. Mahathir continous defamatory allegations against Tunku have been more unbecoming for a statesman like Dr. Mahathir where Tunku is no longer here to clarify or response (Tunku Abdul Rahman passed away in 1990, peace be with him).
No ONE from UMNO/ BN defended Tunku! Where are all the leaders? or do they agree with Dr. Mahathir that Tunku Abdul Rahman is worse by giving citizenships to unqualified people? or they couldn't be bothered because Tunku no longer has influence on their political careers? or afraid that their political careers will be ended if they go against Dr. Mahathir? and their own political survival are much more important than upholding truth, complete disregard the history of our nation-building and defend our Father of Independence from being defamed?
Tunku Abdul Rahman must be extremely sad if he is still alive today that his contribution to independence and his labourous effort of nation-building have been completely disregarded by a wild accusation of being worse to grant citizenships to unqualified people!
We need leaders to restore truth and return our nation-building effort into the right path, a path that Tunku Abdul Rahman seeked when he declared "Merdeka" (Independence) in Stadium Merdeka in 1957.
and the leaders that we need are clearly cannot be found in the current UMNO/ BN leaders BUT found in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders like Lim Kit Siang.
DAP Leader Lim Kit Siang's powerful defense of Tunku Abdul Rahman, our Father of Independence can be found on the links below:
The first response quoted from Lim Kit Siang's post regarding Dr. Mahathir's allegation of Tunku:
2. 82-Day Countdown to 13GE: Najib should clear the name of Tunku, his father Tun Razak and one million citizens of Merdeka generation from Mahathir’s defamation that Tunku had given citizenship to one million unqualified peopleIt is sad and tragic for Malaysia that the longest-serving Prime Minister [Dr. Mahathir] in Malaysia does not understand that “Two wrongs do not make a right”. Sadder and even more tragic, there are no “two wrongs” here as it is utterly cowardly, disgusting and contemptible on Mahathir’s part to allege that Tunku had committed a more heinous crime and treason than him with regard to Project IC or Project M.
The second response quoted from Lim Kit Siang's post calling to clear the name of Tunku:
Is Najib [Current Malaysian Prime Minister] implying support for Mahathir’s defamation of Tunku in giving one citizenship to one million unqualified people – which would not only implicate Bapa Malaysia but also Najib’s father, Tun Razak? Let Najib without delay clear the name not only of Tunku but also his father Tun Razak and openly dissociate himself from Mahathir’s defamation of Tunku, Tun Razak and one million citizens of the Merdeka generation.
PM Najib's response (if there is any) cannot be anything short of a public rebuke of Dr. Mahathir's remarks on Tunku being worse and restore Tunku's image and integrity by stating the truth and facts publicly on Tunku's effort of nation-building and granting of citizenships leading to Independence of Malaya in 1957.
PM Najib must also promise complete transparency and take actions against the "wrong" in the RCI of Sabah's "Citizenships for foreigners in exchange of votes" without fear or favour.
Whether PM Najib heeds Lim Kit Siang's call or not, it will be too little, too late to defend our Father of Independence, Tunku Abdul Rahman.
I call upon all Malaysian voters who loved our country and acknowledge our Father of Independence, to rise up to return Malaysia to the right path of Nation-Building, the path that Tunku seeked.
First, by clearing Tunku Abdul Rahman's integrity and nation building effort by voting for leaders that defend him from wild allegations and defamation. Leaders from Pakatan Rakyat! (Since no one from UMNO/ BN defended Tunku)
Pakatan Rakyat will be and must be the choice of voters in the coming general elections of Malaysia in order clear Tunku's name!
Merdekakan Rakyat! Selamatkan Malaysia! Bersihkan nama Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj!
God bless everyone and Malaysia.
Joshua
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