My-Daybreak.org

I refer to your report, “Speak  more in Malay”( NST, 24Dec) in which Tun Dr mahatir Mohamad (speaking at  a dinner at the 64th anniversary of Persatuan Muslim Kayanallur celebrations at Bayan Lepas) was reported as having lamented that the discrimination from Malays against Indian Muslims was because of their widespread use of their mother tongue.

Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying. ” The aspirations of 1 Malaysia concept will not be met if Indian Muslims do not embrace the culture of Malays and opt to converse only in their language as well as practise their own culture. It is up to the Indian Muslims to drop the ‘ Indian’ prefix.

Dr Mahathir was also reported as saying that the Malays were the only race defined under the Constitution to have certain privileges.

The Indian Muslims who have not “dropped their ‘ Indian ‘ prefix”have only successful their comatriots and their children who have dropped the ” Indian” prefix and wholeheartedly embraced the Malay language and culture have become.

They should heed Dr Mahathir ‘s sound advice.

As advised, they should drop the ” Indian” prefix and in the spirit of 1 Malaysia, embrace the culture of Malays and speak in the Malay language- so as to secure a brighter future under the Malaysian sun for themselves, their children and future generations.

M.D.

Kuala Lumpur

New Straits Times