Mahathir to forge greater bumiputera economic agenda

COMMENT | Whatever said about Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the majority of Malays today are truly grateful to his efforts in the past for empowering the Malay community. They have prospered because of Mahathir. The super-rich class of Malays emerged because of him.

But, the "masters" of their own land are still far behind other ethnic groups, especially compared to the Chinese community.

There is a pressing need for the prime minister to re-examine, strengthen and continue affirmative action plans of the Bumiputera Economic Agenda as the Malays generally feel Bersatu is not a strong Malay party to defend their causes.

Bersatu must offer new ideas to attract the young Malays to support its ideology to retain Malay power.

Are the Malays regretting too for voting against Umno? It’s a common practice for Umno leaders to rally their support by appealing to race, religion and royalty.

Umno was always smart in convincing the Malay community that the "democracy" power must always remain within Umno. Otherwise, the Malays will become marginalised within their own nation.

Ironically, there are also strong accusations that the economic woes of the Malay community were the cause of the hegemonic agenda of Umno.

Bersatu is considered weak and accused of being used by DAP and PKR to carry out their liberal agenda. Rival political parties Umno and PAS appear to be enjoying an increased cordial relationship.

If Mahathir wants Bersatu to be the champions of the Malay, it has to go all out to fight for Malay rights. The prime minister will now have to formulate new plans to further defend the Malay interest, continue affirmative action plans to forge a greater Malay agenda.

We can expect there will be new measures that the Malays will not be left behind and the economic gap between them and other races will be further reduced.

This does not mean the Pakatan Harapan government only assists the Malays. The bumiputera agenda is mutually inclusive with a national agenda. 

This comes in the midst of a survey conducted nationwide that nearly 60 percent of the Malays surveyed were not happy with the performance of the Harapan government.

Various measures to reduce Malay poverty 

The Umno-PAS pact has been accusing Mahathir (photo) a "puppet" of the DAP. But, Mahathir has dismissed DAP was calling the shots in Putrajaya and controlling the government.

The prime minister always wanted the Malays to be more committed and hardworking.

Mahathir who led Umno and Malaysia for 22 years between 1981 and 2003 took various measures to reduce Malay poverty including training, education and special initiatives for women, youth and entrepreneurs. He did so much for the farmers, fishermen and small traders.

During the first era of Mahathir, affirmative actions under the New Economic Policy (NEP) resulted in more Malay doctors being trained. Under the NEP the Malays were given many opportunities and help to become successful in business and entrepreneurship.

The world’s oldest prime minister has repeatedly said among the failings of the Malays are their unwillingness to work hard and having a lackadaisical attitude.

Ethnic Malays account for nearly two-thirds of the country’s 32 million people. National prosperity must be shared in a fair and equitable manner by "the rakyat".

Fair and equitable participation of all races, help them move up the value chain in various sectors of the economy is vital in creating shared prosperity in New Malaysia.

The Malays, especially the Umno Malays, must thank Mahathir for their abundant bounty. Don’t be ingrates.

M VIVEK served as an aide to several former MIC deputy ministers.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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