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Mahathir continues push for pro-Malay policies
By Teo Cheng Wee, Regional Correspondent
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad over the weekend made his latest call for the continuation of pro-Malay policies, even though he admitted that the system had been abused.
If Malays had made the most of the chances offered to them, they would have attained more than 30 per cent of the country's wealth by now, he said.
That elusive target of 30 per cent figures prominently in the much-maligned New Economic Policy (NEP), which Tun Dr Mahathir has been consistently championing over the past year. Currently, estimates put Malay equity at about 20 per cent.
Dr Mahathir's comments, made in a keynote address at a symposium last Saturday, mark another push by the influential statesman for affirmative action plans - flying in the face of Prime Minister Najib Razak's attempts to dismantle such policies.
'If we give it up, then the Malays won't get anything. If we continue to give, at least some will benefit,' Dr Mahathir said.
He maintained that the fault did not lie with the NEP but its implementation, and suggested that the government be more selective in providing assistance.
Despite stepping down as Malaysia's leader more than seven years ago, Dr Mahathir, 85, continues to be a highly public and vocal figure here, and his pro-Malay stance has become notably more strident under the current administration.
Last month, he warned Malays that they could lose their voice and identity if Kampung Baru residents were scattered because of development. The Malay enclave, located near the Petronas Twin Towers in downtown Kuala Lumpur, sits on prime land that the government is keen to develop.
Dr Mahathir also recently accused Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew of not respecting religion and the sensitivities of Singapore's Muslims, in response to comments made by Mr Lee in a new book, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going.
Analysts say Dr Mahathir has taken this controversial position to shore up Malay support for his party, Umno, although it risks alienating minorities here.
However, in his speech, Dr Mahathir maintained that he was not a racist.
He pointed out that Malays today face a big dilemma: They could not talk about their own race, he claimed, without having to worry about being labelled racist.
He said this dilemma was not caused by other people but by the Malays themselves, because they were incapable of defending themselves and often just gave in when a crisis occurred.
'We are in a dilemma. If we remain silent, it could be taken as accepting an opinion. But if we respond, we might be accused of being racist,' he was quoted by Bernama as saying.
'I am not racist. I am merely stating the truth. When we talk of our race, we acknowledge the race. We should be proud that we are Malays.'
Dr Mahathir added that the attitude of giving in easily was a 'drawback' for the Malays. If they clung to this mindset, it would eventually erode their position in this country, he said.
By Teo Cheng Wee, Regional Correspondent
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad over the weekend made his latest call for the continuation of pro-Malay policies, even though he admitted that the system had been abused.
If Malays had made the most of the chances offered to them, they would have attained more than 30 per cent of the country's wealth by now, he said.
That elusive target of 30 per cent figures prominently in the much-maligned New Economic Policy (NEP), which Tun Dr Mahathir has been consistently championing over the past year. Currently, estimates put Malay equity at about 20 per cent.
Dr Mahathir's comments, made in a keynote address at a symposium last Saturday, mark another push by the influential statesman for affirmative action plans - flying in the face of Prime Minister Najib Razak's attempts to dismantle such policies.
'If we give it up, then the Malays won't get anything. If we continue to give, at least some will benefit,' Dr Mahathir said.
He maintained that the fault did not lie with the NEP but its implementation, and suggested that the government be more selective in providing assistance.
Despite stepping down as Malaysia's leader more than seven years ago, Dr Mahathir, 85, continues to be a highly public and vocal figure here, and his pro-Malay stance has become notably more strident under the current administration.
Last month, he warned Malays that they could lose their voice and identity if Kampung Baru residents were scattered because of development. The Malay enclave, located near the Petronas Twin Towers in downtown Kuala Lumpur, sits on prime land that the government is keen to develop.
Dr Mahathir also recently accused Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew of not respecting religion and the sensitivities of Singapore's Muslims, in response to comments made by Mr Lee in a new book, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going.
Analysts say Dr Mahathir has taken this controversial position to shore up Malay support for his party, Umno, although it risks alienating minorities here.
However, in his speech, Dr Mahathir maintained that he was not a racist.
He pointed out that Malays today face a big dilemma: They could not talk about their own race, he claimed, without having to worry about being labelled racist.
He said this dilemma was not caused by other people but by the Malays themselves, because they were incapable of defending themselves and often just gave in when a crisis occurred.
'We are in a dilemma. If we remain silent, it could be taken as accepting an opinion. But if we respond, we might be accused of being racist,' he was quoted by Bernama as saying.
'I am not racist. I am merely stating the truth. When we talk of our race, we acknowledge the race. We should be proud that we are Malays.'
Dr Mahathir added that the attitude of giving in easily was a 'drawback' for the Malays. If they clung to this mindset, it would eventually erode their position in this country, he said.
