SHAH ALAM: The Malays must question themselves and evaluate their own failings to ensure that they can correct them themselves instead of waiting for others to correct them, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairman, commenting on achievements of the New Economic Policy, which he described as “minimal and unsatisfactory”, said among the failings of the Malays are their unwillingness to work hard and having a lackadaisical attitude to their own responsibilities.
“We accuse others. We accuse the government, accuse other races. When we fail, they are at fault. We are never wrong.
“Where are our faults? There are many. The first is we do not work as hard as others. Not only that, we also do not pay attention to our responsibilities. We don’t pay attention before deciding to do something.
“We lack mastery of the knowledge and information needed to make good decisions. I dare to say that we are lazy. We like to hand over our jobs to other people,” he said at Bersatu’s second anniversary celebration at the Malawati Stadium here on Saturday night.
The event was attended by Bersatu chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali; PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali; DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai; Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal; and Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.
Dr Mahathir also chided the Malays’ attitude of being untrustworthy and for not having a sense of responsibility for tasks entrusted to them, as well as their propensity to break promises.
The Malay community, he said, also have no qualms about taking things or money that do not belong to them.
“When we owe someone, it’s hard to pay back. Take the PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund Corporation). It’s not much that we need to pay back, just a little.
“We can afford it. Even if we only make RM2,000 a month, what’s RM100 a month? Only five per cent. But even those who earn more than that don’t pay. Stingy.
“Whatever excuses we give, the fact is we don’t pay our debts. To us, it’s a small matter. But to other races, it erodes their trust in us.
“PTPTN debtors owe RM36 billion, almost the same as the stolen 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Bhd) funds,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said, as a result, banks no longer want to lend to Malays, which has led to many Malay traders unable to secure capital.
At the same time, Dr Mahathir said Bersatu, as a component of a multi-racial government, will draw up policies and opportunities to help the Malays.
However, he said the government will determine that whatever is channeled to the Malays is not abused, and that the government would not hesitate to take action.
“Only those who are trained or experienced will be considered when tenders are offered. Their CV will matter, especially on how they treat debts, including the PTPTN.
Those who get licences, APs, contracts and others must do the work themselves. If these are sold or transferred to other people, Malay or otherwise, these APs, licences or contracts will be revoked.
“Support from ministers or leaders will be ignored, including support from the prime minister.
“Bersatu will not be Najib’s Umno. Our priority is to develop the country. We want the spoils to be distributed equally and fairly.”