Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud’s mother today responded to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s allegation that she had failed to educate her daughter to the point that the latter had betrayed UMNO’s struggle to join DAP.

In responding to Dr Mahathir’s statements, Yammy Samad gave examples of how the former prime minister himself taught his children, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and social activist Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir.

“I want to tell Tun, I tried my best to teach my daughter to be like Mukhriz, but when she grew up she became Marina.

“I give my children the freedom to choose what is right and wrong. She is an adult, and can think for herself,” Yammy told reporters here today.

Yammy was met while she accompanied Dyana during her campaign trail at the market on Jalan Woo Saik Hong, here, to meet voters.

Dr Mahathir on Monday had expressed regret that DAP’s candidate in the Teluk Intan by-election was a child of a family that had been UMNO supporters for a long time.

“It's not a bother if the candidate comes from a pro-opposition family as from small she would have been taught to hate UMNO.

"As parents, UMNO members should tell their children about UMNO, its history and what it has done (for country and people), otherwise when they grow up, they will do as they please,” he said.


'I am not campaigning for her'

Yammy explained that she had given her daughter the freedom to decide her own fate, including making the choices over their spouses.

“Even for her choice of husband I give her the freedom, this is just about choosing a party,” she said.

“If she wants to get married, that’s up to her. She may want to marry a Malay, Chinese or Indian if they suit her. If I am forced to face with failure, what can I do then?” she said.

Yammy however stressed that Dyana was born a Muslim and it was her hope that she would remain a Muslim.

She also explained that her daughter’s move to join DAP does not worry her as the party did not just consist of Chinese members and the move does not affect her daughter’s faith (akidah).

Yammy also stressed that she was merely accompanying her daughter during the campaign, and not campaigning for her as she was still an UMNO member.

"It's not that I want to campaign. If I wanted to campaign I would have gone up the stage. But I respect the fact that I am still an UMNO member, so I don't go on stage. But if I am not an UMNO member I would be on stage."