Perkasa Selangor had warned non-Malays in the country to stay away from the recent criticism leveled at the Malay community by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Malay rights group said the non-Malays may not understand his actual meaning in his recent interview over the weekend.

The non-governmental organisation said the non-Malays should not get worked up (melatah) over the issue as his criticisms were leveled at the Malays.

In an exclusive interview with Mingguan Malaysia, Dr Mahathir said Malays in the country are lazy, dishonest and complacent.

He said Malay men are also lagging behind the women, with many of them preferring to become 'Mat Rempits'.

In the interview, the longest serving former premier had also said that the largest race in Malaysia has not changed their “lazy” ways and also lamented over the fact that he has not been able to change that during his tenure as Prime Minister.

“Perkasa Selangor accepts with an open heart his criticism and we thank him for his willingness to share his knowledge and insight,” the group said on its Facebook page.

The group said only those who cannot accept the reality and with vested interest will not be able to accept Dr Mahathir’s opinion.

It said the 89-year-old Perkasa’s advisor understands well each race in the country, having served as a Prime Minister for 22 years.

The group described Dr Mahathir’s criticisms as advice from a father to his children.