Race-based events are racist if they sow hatred towards others - Khalid

A race-based gathering itself is not racist until it is used as a platform to create hate against other ethnicities, said Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad.

Taking to Twitter today, the Amanah party leader was responding to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had expressed frustration over allegations that the recent Malay Dignity Congress was a racist gathering.

"Gathering is not a problem, but it is the content. All races, and ethnicities, do gather to discuss problems faced by them and the country to find ways to address the problems.

"However, if it (the gathering) is used to sow hatred towards other races, only then it is being racist," he tweeted.

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Mahathir, who is Bersatu president, had attended the congress which was held in Shah Alam on Oct 6.

Khalid was not among those present at the congress.

The gathering had been criticised by certain quarters for its speeches, which were alleged to be racist in nature and insensitive in a multiracial country.

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https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/497485

PM right about Malay forum, media twisted my comments, says Khalid
Updated 4 minutes ago · Published on 27 Oct 2019 12:35PM · 0 Comments
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Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad has backtracked on his comments about the Malay Dignity Congress, now saying the community has a right to gather to discuss issues affecting them. – The Malaysian insight pic by Nazir Sufari, October 27, 2019.

THE Malay Dignity Congress is not racist and it is the right of the Malays to hold the gathering, said Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad, backtracking on his earlier comments that such events could cause racial strife.

Taking to Twitter this morning, Khalid said: “I AGREE with Tun (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) that when a certain race has an assembly to discuss its issues and the country’s issues, it is NOT racist, but it is their right”.