PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says it is unlikely for a non-Malay to become the prime minister as the country's racial dynamics dictate that it will be a person from the majority race.
The former prime minister said this in a statement released on social media on Monday (Dec 18).
This is his statement in full:
1. While the Federal Constitution states that the only requirement for someone to be the Prime Minister of Malaysia is that the person must be an MP who, in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's judgment, is likely to command majority support, racial dynamics will dictate for that position to be helmed by a person from the majority race.
2. In Singapore, the Prime Minister has always been from the majority Chinese race since independence.
3. Lee Kuan Yew admitted a non-Chinese leader might face challenges in gaining acceptance among the predominantly Chinese population.
4. So the Prime Minister of Singapore will always be a Chinese.
5. Penang has never had a non-Chinese Chief Minister. Given the racial balance being in favour of the non-Malays, when Umno had the largest number of seats under the Barisan Nasional, it gave way to Gerakan.
6. And so by the same token, in Malaysia, even if Malays are divided politically, they still make up the majority race.
7. Until and unless the majority Malay feel that they can accept a non-Malay as Prime Minister it is status quo ante. Period.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad