BUTTERWORTH: DAP today expressed disappointment with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's racial remarks, which are seen as dividing the people and inciting racial sentiment.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said it was even more disappointing for these remarks to come from Dr Mahathir, who had served as prime minister twice, including with Pakatan Harapan in 2018.
"What he (Dr Mahathir) is stating and doing now are something that saddens all.
"It is not in line with his position as a former prime minister and statesman, who is supposed to unite the people of Malaysia.
"Instead, he is seen as dividing the unity among the races.
"We hope that he can play a more constructive role rather than issuing statements everyday, which is seen as not helping but rather fanning racial sentiment. This is not good for the country."
Loke said this at the Penang DAP annual convention at Butterworth Arena here.
Present were national DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng and state DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow.
Loke was asked to comment on Dr Mahathir's statement, which claimed that Malays were losing political power.
Dr Mahathir had also cast doubt on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's ability to lead the country.
Loke said if Dr Mahathir loved Malaysia, he should have used his influence to help the country by attracting investments and interests to develop the country, rather than playing on fabricated racial sentiment.
"There is no such thing as a situation where Malays are losing their power.
"As (I) stated earlier, the prime minister is a Malay, the majority of cabinet ministers are Malays, the majority of institutions are held by Malays, and even the chief secretary to the government is a Malay.
"So where is it that Malays are losing power? That is an old game by Dr Mahathir to scare Malays."
He said Dr Mahathir had faced similar accusations when he was the prime minister.
"So when there is a unity government now, he should be more understanding.
"This is a political game by the opposition.
"So I am very sad when he himself expresses that sentiment now."