Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia senior editor Zaini Hassan has attempted to unravel the difference in mentality between the Malays and Chinese. In the process, he ropes in PAS as well.

In his column published today, Zaini cited a magazine article on successful young Malaysian entrepreneurs, where the eight finalists featured were Chinese.

While congratulating them, Zaini said he hoped that their success would also inspire Malay youths, although none were on the list.

"It is most unfortunate that despite numerous initiatives given by the government, not a single face from the species and Malay DNA qualified (to be on the list).

"I hope that Malay tycoons like Azman Hashim, Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, Mustapha Kamal and others will step forward to be mentors for our young entrepreneurs.

"Or (perhaps) we don't need mentors, for then there will be those who will say 'until when do we need to be spoon-fed or be given crutches'," he added.

Kota Bahru in a time warp

In his "first" assessment of the Malay mentality, Zaini recounted his recent trip to Kota Bharu, Kelantan, which is the stronghold of PAS.

He described Kelantan as a state "which talks about politics 24/7 or 24 hours, seven days a week".

As he checked into the hotel, Zaini said he could hear a speech being aired via the loudspeakers in the city, and at one point, there was a religious sermon.

"The sermon was about a cruel leader, cruel government and cruel cabinet members. The speaker quoted the Quran and sayings of the prophet to strengthen his argument.

"It seemed like it was directed at the Malaysian government," he added.

Zaini said the sermon contained the same issues which he had heard some 20 years ago, when he was posted in Kota Bharu.

"There has been no progress at all in terms of mindset with regard to the sermon. Pity the Malays who have to listen to this, night and day.

"It is a most effective brainwashing tactic. While others are ahead of us, we are still trapped 20 years in the past," he added.

The Utusan editor likened this to the communist era, which is still practiced in North Korea now, where loudspeakers blare patriotic songs and speeches to indoctrinate the masses.

In view of this, Zaini said he agreed with former Kelantan menteri besar and PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, when the latter stated that his biggest achievement in helming the state was to "change the mindset of the Kelantan people".

I am Muslim, not Malay

In his "second" assessment, the Utusan editor noted the current trend of Malays "not admitting to be Malays" and cited one such example "of the species" which he came across on Twitter.

"They say I am Muslim, not Malay. I did not become a Muslim because I am Malay," he said.

Zaini argued that some Malays have been confused and led astray by politicians who don the "Islamic mask".

Desiring to be different, Zaini said these Malays were willing to separate race and religion.

"This doctrine is then followed by other Malays. So what are we, (are we) from Mars?" he asked.

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