Vision 2020 ‘inspired’ more confidence than 1 Malaysia: Ku Li

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed’s Vision 2020 inspired more confidence among Malaysians as opposed to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said in a rare compliment for his long-time political rival.

The Kelantan prince who once challenged Dr Mahathir for the Umno presidency claimed that compared to Vision 2020, the prime minister’s ambitious 1Malaysia was “hollow” and lacked a cohesive policy to support a long-term goal.

“When Dr Mahathir positioned a vision of 2020, the vision, its idea gives people hope.

“1Malaysia is hollow, it must have a policy to go about it, to support it. Only then will people get involved in it,” said the Gua Musang MP.

Tengku Razaleigh (picture) told The Malaysian Insider in an exclusive interview that although Najib was earnest in trying to provide a stable leadership for the country, there were also insurmountable obstacles stopping him from doing that.

“I think he is earnest in wanting to provide (a) leadership for the country, but he also has problems which are insurmountable,” added the Umno leader popularly known as Ku Li.

The Kelantan prince lamented on how there was no “concerted effort” by the Barisan Nasional (BN) to actually support Najib’s agenda, which was part and parcel why there was little confidence in Najib’s administration.

“There is no concerted effort by the government, 1Malaysia does not excite people. We already have the federal constitution which is supposed to unite everybody.

“We don’t have a clear policy that will generate support. You want a proper economic model, you want support on (a) federal (level), go out and concentrate on something concrete,” he said.

The former finance minister lambasted Najib’s current Cabinet line-up consisting of leaders which did not follow the Prime Minister’s goals and visions.

“If the Cabinet is not even supposedly doing what Najib says, what does it mean?

“I have to say it because others won’t say it. You have people like Idris Jala and Koh Tsu Koon forming NKRAs and running around here and there… even the Deputy Prime Minister doesn’t even care about 1Malaysia. He is Melayu ‘Malay’ first,” said Tengku Razaleigh, referring to Tan Sri Muhyiddin’s infamous remark made where he maintained that he would always be “Malay first” before identifying himself as a Malaysian.

The former Umno vice-president also moved to cast doubts on Najib’s ability as a leader both on a national and party level.

“There is a gap between Najib and Umno party members… he probably has not done enough to forge a relationship with the members.

“He means well when he goes down for his walkabouts, like how he went to Petaling street. But how many people (Malaysians) live in Petaling Street? Its full of foreigners,” quipped Tengku Razaleigh.

courtesy of Malaysian Insider