You're not defending Malays, Mahathir tells red shirts

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has rubbished the notion that the red shirts rallying tomorrow are defending the Malays or that Bersih 4 was racist.

"Bersih 4 was not racist, all races were there.

"They (red shirts) want Bersih to be racist so they can defend the Malays.

"(But) They are not defending the Malays. There is no need (for the rally)," Mahathir told reporters in Putrajaya today.

Asked if he expects there to be trouble, Mahathir replied: "I hope not."

The red shirts, led by Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos, will be joining the Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu rally in Padang Merbok tomorrow.

The group had previously touted the rally as the Himpunan Maruah Melayu, before organisers National Silat Federation (Pesaka) told the media that the rally was for all Malaysians.

Regardless of what it is called, the demonstration is being held in response to the Bersih 4 protest, which was deemed to be Chinese-dominated and insulted the Malays and their leaders.

The former prime minister was interviewed after he delivered a keynote address to the Mahathir Global Peace School.

"I find it strange that peace is associated with me because some people think I am a very violent man," Mahathir quipped at the start of his speech.