PETALING JAYA: Sin Chew Daily editor-in-chief Kuik Cheng Kang has written to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, criticising the latter for his controversial remarks made during the launch of his new book, Capturing Hope: The Struggle Continues for a New Malaysia .
The piece, titled “Tun M, you are wrong”, was published on the front page of the daily’s evening and final editions today.
“Congratulations on your new book. The title itself once again reminds the people of hope,” Kuik began.
Kuik, who recalled the euphoria felt by most of the Chinese community after the 14th General Election, said the people were hopeful of Dr Mahathir “righting the wrongs” he had made.
“However, Pakatan Harapan collapsed in 22 months. You once again blamed all the mistakes on others, not feeling a bit responsible for them.
“Your ‘silent’ consent for the Malay Dignity Congress in 2019 had led to the fierce attack on Chinese education as if ‘God was forgotten when the danger passed’,” he said, referring to a Chinese idiom.
“The views you have expressed in your new book have hurt the very Chinese community who gave you and Pakatan its strong support in GE14,” he added.
Kuik said that neither the Chinese community’s use of chopsticks to eat nor their attending Chinese schools affect their allegiance and love for Malaysia.
Calling on Dr Mahathir to drop such stereotyping, he said native Malaysian Chinese recognised Malaysia as their motherland, adding that there had been fewer local Chinese who did not speak Bahasa Malaysia.
On the former prime minister’s comment that a single-stream education system was best for Malaysia and that the current multi-stream education hindered national unity and a true national identity, Kuik said a single language was not the only tool to unite the people.
“Otherwise, Malay society will not be as divided today. Not all Malays send their children to national schools, but also to local international schools, Chinese primary schools, religious schools and even overseas.
“Your criticisms against Chinese education are full of prejudice,” he wrote.
Kuik also pointed out that when some people’s livelihoods were affected during the Covid-19 movement control order last year, Malaysians from different social and educational backgrounds came forward to help each other, while “politicians continued fighting for power”.
“People of all ethnic groups have always lived in harmony and cared for each other. In real society, many people are promoting national unity. On the contrary, politicians continue to divide our people with racial remarks.
“You should regard Malaysia’s multi-stream education as the country’s advantage. It has created many talents, including the Malays,” he added.
Kuik also rebutted Dr Mahathir’s comments blaming the daily for its negative reports on DAP that eventually cost Pakatan the support of Chinese votes.
“This is a serious allegation. As a community newspaper, Sin Chew Daily has been playing the role of the ‘fourth estate’ in the past, present and future.
“We support and recognise all the right policies and will fearlessly criticise any policy that hurts the country’s fundamentals and development,” he said, adding that Sin Chew Daily was a responsible newspaper.