Opposition politicians are using human rights issues for their political benefit, warned former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In saying this, Mahathir said he agrees with concerns raised that certain quarters were using the ' human rights wave ' for political purposes instead of to save people.

NONE "...While we respect human rights as a universal value, it should be implemented within our capabilities," said Mahathir today.

"If we follow the West, which adopts extreme human rights that allows men to get married with (other) men and women getting married with (other) women, (that) should be rejected outright," he added.

Mahathir said as a developing, multiracial and multireligious country Malaysia is not like countries in the West.

"When they are trapped in, they impose much more worse human rights violations compared to us, as what is done in Guantanamo Bay."

"They (United States) don't have laws to detain people without trial, as in Guantanamo (Bay detention camp), and now it is already 11 years. Why don't they release (those detainees)?"

He said while Malaysia has laws to arrest people like the Internal Security Act, the US do not have such laws, but they still arrest and torture detainees for 11 years.

"Their government allows the torture of the detainees. Do not focus on our human rights record, lah . If you want to criticise, criticise (Barack) Obama, lah , for the human rights violations."

He stressed that Malaysia should focus on issues relevant to Malaysia and not adopt all the values in the West.

Yesterday, former inspector-general of police Abdul Rahim Noor, when addressing the second Perkasa annual general meeting, warned of people using human rights issues to harm the country.

Mahathir backs Felda listing

Mahathir also said he supports the proposed listing of the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and for a certain percentage of its shares to be set aside for non-Malays to purchase.

H azlan e noted that the Malays’ purchasing power is limited and by allotting a percentage (of shares) for non-Malays they are able to participate in the development of the scheme directly.

“We should not listen to the opposition in criticising the listing exercise as the Felda settlers had received a lot of benefits. I have heard many regretting at not being able to participate in the scheme, regretting as they cannot receive a lot of benefits.

“Now the price of palm oil has increased to more than RM3,000 a tonne compared to RM600 previously. Felda has successful businesses. Hence, the settlers should not heed what is said by the opposition as they have nothing good to say,” he said.

He also supported plans for the present government to conduct studies in extending the New Economic Policy (NEP), despite moves by the government to liberalise the economy.

Mahathir however, admitted that the results of the NEP policy and its administration were far from those desired.

“When we came up with the policy in 1971, it was for a period of 20 years. Now it’s already 40 years and the Malays’ achivements should have by now surpassed what we had then targetted. However, we cannot achieve the target until now.

“Possibly the government should review the shortcomings in the policy and improve on them. I am glad I am not in the government. However, I have seen some successful bumiputera entrepreneurs and that if they work hard and adopt good practises they will be successful,” he said.

Earlier in his keynote address during the launching of an Entrepreneurial Symposium, Mahathir said Malays should get rid of the attitude of wanting to see immediate returns on their investments as what they have to do is work hard.

“Using the approved permits (APs) for vehicles as an example, there are those given APs who chose to sell it to others immediately to get returns. However, there are those who got it like Naza, they have kept the APs and used the profits to build their business to what it is today.”

“So do not expect quick returns on your investments. Even when I entered this bread business (The Loaf) with six outlets, I have yet to receive any profits yet. But we must continue to persevere,” he advised the entrepreneurs.

Also present was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nor Mohamed Yakcop.