Tun Dr M said that Barisan Nasional (BN) will not give more political power to the Chinese until the Malays expand their economic stake in the country where he once preached unity under Bangsa Malaysia. He also said that PAS is wooing the Chinese just for votes to gain power, adding that “hypocrisy is very much alive in Malaysian politics”. Writing in his popular blog last night, Dr M said he had to give the true reasons for the lack of Chinese in high posts after being “startled” by criticisms from an ex-lawmaker about the issue at a recent gathering. He believes that in the political field, the Malays appear to be in control. Most of the high posts i.e. PM, MB etc are held by the Malays. If these posts are held by the Chinese, then not only will the economy be under Chinese control but the political arena would also be under the Chinese. “What will be the Malay stake in the country?”
Noting that the New Economic Policy (NEP) had “been on now for almost 40 years, far longer than originally planned,” he said, “Admittedly the Malays had been at fault because they did not make correct use of the opportunities created for them in the NEP. “ “But whatever the reason, the Malays have not gained for themselves the 30 per cent target in corporate ownership even. But more than that if a proper audit is made their wealth is even less than 30 per cent of total wealth of the people of Malaysia. “Most of the wealth of the country belongs to the Chinese. It can also be said that the Chinese control the economy of the country,” he stressed. Dr M added that “the NEP is about giving the Malays a fair stake in the economy of the country. Should they get this then they should be ready to relinquish a commensurate amount of control in the political field.” “Since they have not gained a fair share in the economy, then they should be allowed to retain this greater share in politics,” he reasoned.
His latest diatribe is a contrast to 1991 when he launched his “Vision 2020” for a developed Malaysia with the hope for a Bangsa Malaysia regardless of race. The country’s longest-serving premier also answered the question about PAS appearing accomodating to Chinese religious practises. “If PAS appears to be more accommodating of Chinese religious practices, it is simply because it wants Chinese votes. Remember at one time PAS condemned Umno for having MCA as a partner. Now PAS is willing to accept DAP as a partner. It is political hypocrisy, not sincere partnership. “I am talking about racial issues simply because my questioner raised racial issues,” he added. The veteran politician also dismissed the BN’s poor showing in Election 2008 as the consequence of Malaysians being “sick of racial parties and racial politics.” “I doubt it. Since 2008 there have been more talks about race than previously. And my questioner has illustrated this amply. Race is still very clearly an issue in Malaysian politics. “If PAS is extremely supportive of the Chinese today, it is not because the party has become disaffected with race and religion. It is simply because it wants to play up Chinese racial sentiments in order to win Chinese votes and he concluded “Hypocrisy is very much alive in Malaysian politics.”.
Tun Dr M recently said Malaysians did not understand Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia, a concept to unite all races behind the government in the aftermath of BN’s dismal electoral outing in 2008. But BN’s political foe Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had said 1 Malaysia had failed and pointed to their own efforts to unite Malaysians with more places for non-Malay politicians, adding it should be on merit and not race.
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