According to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, political parties such as Umno, PKR, and PAS have had to become beggars in asking the Chinese for political support.

"By right, since the Malays make up 60 percent of the population, we should win the elections," he said in his speech at the Akademi Kenegaraan today.

"But since we are split into three, we had to become beggars, asking for help from the other races - especially the Chinese - to get their support.

"Be it Umno, PKR, PAS... they beg the Chinese, DAP for their support. And since we became beggars, we don't have power any more," he added.

Mahathir added that although the country will achieve its vision for development, Malays would still be lagging behind.

 

“As such, vision 2020 won’t be achieved for the Malays, although the country is developed,” he said.

 

Lamenting how he is always chastised by the Malays as he is seen to be berating them, he rationalised that if the weaknesses are not identified, Malays will not be able to change.

 

Meanwhile, commenting on the success of the Chinese in terms of economy, Mahathir said Malays believe that the Chinese are successful because they lie.

 

“But when we want to build a house, we call the Chinese because we know that the Malays cannot do it.

 

He, however, then joked with the audience, saying: “Is it true that we don't lie? I think we do,” he asked, to laughter from the audience.

 

‘Unity helps the Malays and Muslims’

 

In his speech, Mahathir also related how during pre-independence, political parties had urged the then-ruler not to sign the agreement with the British.

 

“We gained independence because the rakyat realised if political power is given to the sultan, the sultan will give it to the British.

 

“If the political parties did not urge the sultan not to sign the agreement, we would not be independent today. We will be a state owned by someone else,” he said.

 

“Because the rakyat were united and were against the agreement, we gained independence,” he said.

 

Mahathir also urged for unity among the Muslims.

 

“In Islam, Muslims should be brothers, but are we? In Malaysia itself, we fight among ourselves.

 

“In other countries, they behead others and view others as less Islamic. For us to be stronger, Muslims must be united,” he added.

 

He lamented how Muslims prioritise the sayings of their leaders or their tribes, although some may be against Islam.

 

Islam is the way of life for Muslims, said Mahathir, but the priority for Muslims is to follow Quranic teachings and master all types of knowledge, not just read or memorise the holy book.

 

Mahathir said during Prophet Muhammad’s time, it was important to memorise the Quran because there were not many written copies.

 

He said Islam rewards its followers for mastering all types of knowledge, not just religious.

Varsity students criticised

Mahathir said if soldiers were only trained to read the Quran but not taught warfare, they will not be able to defend the country.

 

“If they learn warfare and they die, they will become 'shahid' (martyrs). Those who study religious knowledge only do not necessarily die as martyrs.

 

“So don’t trivialise other branches of knowledge. Not everyone should become ulama (religious scholars).

 

“Praying, fasting, going for haj is for Muslims to get rewards ( pahala ). However, these things don't strengthen Muslims.

 

“Islam asks us to prioritise the ummah (community). But how can we do this if we are not united,” he said, adding that no one Muslim country can be considered as developed in today’s world.  

 

Mahathir later also managed to sneak in a comment on the growing student movement which has been organising talks and rallies in campuses throughout the country.

 

 “I don't think in the Quran it states that you go to university to demonstrate,” he said.