Anti-Semitic Remarks By Malaysian Prime Minister Appalling

American Jewish Committee
Wednesday, 15 October 1997

In response to recent statements reportedly made by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad calling Jews "robbers" and "criminals" responsible for a depression of Malaysia's national currency and stock markets, the Asia and Pacific Rim Institute (APRI) of the American Jewish Committee has urged the government of Malaysia to "renounce and cease such expressions of bigotry and ignorance."

In a letter sent to Malaysia's Ambassador to the United States by Jason F. Isaacson, director of APRI, the AJCommittee asserted that "although familiar with previous expressions of anti-Semitism by your Prime Minister, dating back more than twenty years," it was nevertheless "appalled by Dr. Mahathir's latest verbal attack on Jews."

According to the news agency Bernama, the Prime Minister charged Jews with conspiracy, adding that "…we are Muslims and the Jews are not happy to see Muslims progress."

The AJC letter continues: "The Prime Minister's slanders are from an ancient and discredited script - a history of racist invective that has hounded and brought destruction to Jews for centuries. Much of what he said…echoed his 1970 treatise, The Malay Dilemma, with its hideous depiction of Jews and his charge that Jewish 'financial wizardry…provoked anti-Semitism.' His comments also echoed the vile Tsarist tract The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a popular forgery that for a century has been used by despots and hate groups across the globe as justification for attacks on Jews.

"The Prime Minister's continued resort to the distressingly familiar code words of anti-Semitism does great harm to Malaysia's image in the United States and in every enlightened quarter of the world. The Asia and Pacific Rim Institute of the American Jewish Committee, an organization devoted to combating anti-Semitism and encouraging increased understanding between Jews and the peoples of Asia, strongly urges your Government to renounce and cease such expressions of bigotry and ignorance."

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org