KUALA LUMPUR, 10 FEB: The latest statement issued by former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad regarding the power to revoke a person’s citizenship if they outwardly criticise the Umno-BN administration, does not portray a statesmanlike behaviour.
As someone who was considered a leader of third world nations, he should be more open minded and careful in issuing statements against those who have opposing views, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
According to Abdul Khalid, Dr Mahathir should research a little before issuing a statement.
“I used to work under him, I think Tun can come up with a better statement than that,” said Abdul Khalid when met during a Chinese New Year celebration at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall today.
During his speech about security and the constitution yesterday, Dr Mahathir said that critics of the Umno-BN Government, such as the Co-Chairman of the BERSIH Movement, Datuk S Ambiga, should be revoked of their citizenship.
Dr Mahathir urged the public to give Umno-BN two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives for the upcoming elections so that amendments can be made to the country’s constitution in relation to forfeiture of one’s citizenship.
It is reported that at present, under Article 24 of the Constitution, citizenship can only be revoked when a person gains citizenship in another country.
It also can be revoked should a person perform rights exclusive to other countries other than Malaysia such as voting or using travel documents of another country.
In other developments, Abdul Khalid said that the Selangor Government is currently ahead of other state in contributing to Chinese Private Schools, the People’s Religious Schools and Tamil Schools.
“For Chinese schools alone, the State Government has contributed RM6 million every year.
“The Selangor Government is of the opinion that our country should adopt the freedom to education, and because of that, in Selangor, we accept those who received degrees from Taiwan, China, Indonesia and the Middle East,” said Abdul Khalid.
The Chinese New Year celebrations which were held at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall and in Selangor today, carried out lively when graced by several political leaders from Pkatan Rakyat and BN.
Apart from Abdul Khalid, other PR leaders include PKR President, Datuk Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PAS Deputy President, Mohammad Sabu, PKR Vice-President, Datuk Seri Chua Jui Meng, as well as other Executive Councillors such as Selangor Government Excos, Ronnie Liu and Teresa Kok.
Also seen at the event which was organised by the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, was Senator Tan Sri Koh Tsu Khoon and Minister of Health Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
Also present was the Deputy Finance Minister, Senator Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai and the Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Senator Datuk Heng Seai Kie.