An Umno member greets Mahathir as he arrives for
the Cheras Umno division meeting.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed today slammed religious extremists for deepening the racial divide in the country.
He also said a weak federal government is the reason why there is growing racial tension in the country.
Speaking to reporters after attending the Cheras Umno division meeting, Mahathir also said he does not want to comment on Utusan Malaysia's recent article that Christians are plotting to take over the country.
"I do not want to comment anything … I'm not that interested in bringing up issues concerning religion unless there's clear proof.
"I haven't studied it (the article) completely so I don't want to make statements. I do not want to harm the country with unsubstantiated opinions."
He said when he was prime minister, racial issues that were being played up now simply did not happen.
"In my time, none of this happened … I got support from all Christians, Hindus, Buddhists.
He added that during his tenure, people from all religions worked together instead of making demands like what was happening now.
"They (extremists) see the government as weak, that's why there is all these problems.
"And the government is weak now because there is no two-thirds majority," he said.
He said since the federal government is perceived to be weak, racial extremists were making demands and stirring racial flames.
Since the country is having too much racial division now, he said, it is better for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak to have the general election next year.
"I feel the people are divided and racial division is at its peak.
"So it (polls) should not be held this year," he said.
On another note, Mahathir said Muslims must be united to have a Muslim prime minister as the law makes no provision to state that only a Muslim can be a prime minister.
"It is up to Malaysians … if you do not want to choose a Muslim PM, you will get a non-Muslim one.
"We hope Muslims here get to decide on the PM because they are the majority. If they (Muslims) are split, then we cannot do anything," he added.
He was commenting on the recent statement made by law expert Prof Abdul Aziz Bari that the Federal Constitution does not require a Muslim prime minister to helm the government, and any such provision would be against Malaysia's laws of equality.
