KUALA LUMPUR – Former Malaysian ambassador to the United States, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, has labelled politicians as “rascals,” blaming them for the country’s persistent racial divisions.
The Umno veteran criticised politicians who exploit racial sentiments for political gain, arguing that such rhetoric should not be tolerated.
“We cannot allow this. This country is Malaysia… Malaysia belongs to Malaysians, we cannot continue like this… after 60 or how many years of independence, we are still talking like this,” he said.
“Why? Because the rascals are the politicians,” he said during an episode of Scoop’s Trick Lama podcast.
He dismissed claims that DAP’s rhetoric was eroding Malay support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, pointing out that similar behaviour from Malay politicians often goes unchecked.
“Yes, but what is the difference between the current Umno Youth Chief (Dr Akmal Saleh)? It’s the same, (he is) shooting from the hip.
“When the Malays do (spread fiery rhetoric), it’s no concern, it won’t affect (sensitivities)? If you pander to these kinds of feelings, then that’s why the Malay (politicians) are having a good time (dishing out racially charged rhetoric), because the non-Malays allow that,” he said.
Nazri’s remarks come as Umno veterans call for an end to the public spat between him and Dr Akmal, warning that it serves no benefit to the party.
Previously, Nazri had called Dr Akmal childish and accused him of having a low mentality. This followed Akmal branding Nazri a “sycophant” after the former minister stated that no one else was qualified to be prime minister if Anwar were not in the picture.
Nazri also shared insights into his political career, recalling advice from former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when he was appointed as a minister.
“Mahathir told me when I became minister, he said ‘Nazri, you are now a minister for Malaysia and not just about the Malays.’ Because that time I was in Umno Youth, very vocal. When he (Dr Mahathir) told me that, I changed because I want to help Malaysia or Malaysians.”
Nazri served as the Tourism and Culture Minister from May 2013 to May 2018, as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of legal affairs from March 2004 to May 2013, and as Entrepreneur Development Minister from December 1999 to March 2004.
The podcast was hosted by Big Boom Media’s Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Zainul Arifin Isa, Group Advisor Datuk Ahirudin Attan, better known as Rocky Bru, and Group Editor-In-Chief Terence Fernandez. Big Boom Media is the publisher of Scoop.
During the podcast, he also stressed the importance of fighting divisive indoctrination and expressed support for Anwar to remain in power.
“That’s why we need PM Anwar to be the PM for a long time.
“He’s in a difficult situation now because the Malay MPs are now with him, correct? That’s why he could not say a thing.
“But when DAP says a lot of things, that’s why I said to Perak Umno – you talk about DAP this, DAP that, but who salvaged you? You got only nine seats. And today you have a menteri besar (leading the state). Who helped you? DAP. So think.
“So we must be brave to tell them off… we must tell them the truth. DAP saved Umno in Perak. Tell me where I went wrong, tell me. They can’t, that’s the reality.”
Nazri, who recently returned from his two-year stint as Malaysia’s envoy to the US, also shared how he had reinforced Malaysia’s firm stance on Israel while engaging with American officials.
He recounted being summoned by the US State Department on October 7, 2023, the same day Hamas launched its attack on Israel, questioning why he was called in when Malaysia has no diplomatic ties with Israel.
Nazri said US officials tried to “school” him on Malaysia’s position following Anwar’s remarks in support of Hamas, but he made it clear that he was not there to take instructions. – March 7, 2025