A video of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad using the word “keling” has been circulating on social media, particularly through WhatsApp, since yesterday.

The circulation of the video came just as MIC is about to host its 70th anniversary dinner today and may be used as a fodder for the party in defence of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Najib, Mahathir's nemesis, is set to officiate at the function tonight.

The word “keling” is considered a derogatory reference for Indians in the modern context even though it was not originally considered so when the word was first conceived in the 15th century.

The video was believed to be a ‘Save Malaysia’ event in Langkawi which took place in May.

The circulated clip is 25 seconds long and focuses on Mahathir making fun of Najib's handling of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.

"On Najib fighting IS, we can see Najib holding a rifle to fight IS," he said sarcastically.

Mahathir then quipped: "What do the keling say, ‘podah’ (get lost). All lies.”

Police report lodged

Earlier this morning, a police report was lodged against the former prime minister over the matter.

According to the report sighted by Malaysiakini, Murali Subramaniam lodged it at the Petaling Jaya police station at 11.59am.

The report urged the police to take action under the Sedition Act against Mahathir for hurting the feelings of Malaysians of Indian descent with his use of the derogatory term in the viral video.

The report stated that as a man who had helmed Malaysia as its prime minister for over 20 years, Mahathir should have known better than to use such a word that constitutes an insult to all Malaysians of Indian descent.