Xenophon's deportation will not affect relationship

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the 'no entry' into Malaysia for Australian senator Nick Xenophon and his deportation would not affect Malaysia-Australia relations.

He said Malaysia had the right to enforce its own law, including prohibiting any individual from entering this country.

"If he (Xenophon) comes here with no good intentions, he might as well not come," he told reporters after attending a grand Chinese New Year celebration in Jalan Bukit Bintang, here, today.

Dr Mahathir was commenting on the Malaysian Immigration Department's action of refusing Xenophon entry upon his arrival at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal in Sepang early yesterday as he has a record of tarnishing Malaysia's image at the international level.

He said the Australian government had the right to criticise the Malaysian government's action against Xenophon but Malaysia needed not pay attention to it.

Earlier, in his speech, Dr Mahathir said wealth and power-sharing had enabled Malaysians to enjoy continued peace and stability, hence it was important for them to maintain that spirit.

"Malaysian society is multiracial and multireligious but we are not mutual enemies as we prefer to cooperate, so that we are able to share the country's success and no one is left behind," he said.

Describing the current government leadership as the best, Dr Mahathir said that wealth and power-sharing among the different communities was already stressed upon during the time of the country's first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.

He also noted that all ethnic festivals in Malaysia were unique, interesting and celebrated with much merriment by all races in the country.

"No other country is able to celebrate the festivals like Malaysia does. Here, at least every Malaysian can wish 'Qong Xi Fa Cai' come Chinese New Year," he said.

The CNY celebration in Jalan Bukit Bintang which saw the tossing of a 977-metre "yee sang" was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and several BN top political party leaders.