Malay “kebodohan (stupidity)” had resulted in a major ethnic group bowing down to demands of minority groups, which includes the government recognition of certificates by Tunku Abdul Rahman College (TARC), said former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
In an interview published on Mingguan Malaysia, the Sunday version of Utusan Malaysia today, Mahathir discussed what he terms the present day Malay dilemma and claimed that the community had failed to exploit its majority since Independence to consolidate power.
“If last time we could only get a government job by having a diploma from public university, now we have to accept diploma (certificate) from TARC.
“This is all because of votes. All these have occurred because the stupidity of the Malay.
In an interview published on Mingguan Malaysia, the Sunday version of Utusan Malaysia today, Mahathir discussed what he terms the present day Malay dilemma and claimed that the community had failed to exploit its majority since Independence to consolidate power.
“If last time we could only get a government job by having a diploma from public university, now we have to accept diploma (certificate) from TARC.
“This is all because of votes. All these have occurred because the stupidity of the Malay.
"We have agree during Independence that the Malay would be the majority, so that they would continue to be in power.
“But now they doing the exact opposite, destroying their own majority by dividing into more than three groups. Hence (under such condition), they need votes from the other ethnic groups,” he said.
“But now they doing the exact opposite, destroying their own majority by dividing into more than three groups. Hence (under such condition), they need votes from the other ethnic groups,” he said.
Mahathir's disdain for the recognition of TARC certificates is likely another backhanded swipe at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who announced the move on June 27 with much fanfare.
The move was lauded as a major achievement by MCA, who founded TARC back in 1969.
The move was lauded as a major achievement by MCA, who founded TARC back in 1969.
Cold water poured
Mahathir's pouring of cold water on the recognition of KTAR came after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak paid a visit to the Chinese-based college recently, in which he announced that his administration would retrospectively recognise more than 70 programmes of the institution with immediate effect.
Following that, MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek (left) hasurged KTAR graduates to sign up for the civil service.
Meanwhile, Mahathir also drew a link between reforms promised by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to ancient Malay rulers who forsook their lands and identity for personal gain.
"Now (as the Malays are divided), we have to fulfill their demands because of votes, hence everyone races to make promises.
"In fact (the opposition) wants to forsake this country and in the end it will become like Singapore.
"This is the old custom of the Malay, whereby when someone offered cash, they sold off Singapore and Penang.
"So its like history repeating itself. Just because someone desires to be the prime minister, he is willing to let the Malay race be wiped out," said the long-time premier.
Commenting on the rising demands of the minor ethnic groups, Mahathir said they have enjoyed more than what their counterparts could have in the United States, and hence should respect to the position of Malay and Islam as enshrined in the constitution.
"If we go to US, the national language is English but in here we have to use a few words of the language of the minor ethnic groups in meetings and ceramah. So where is the position of our national language?" he asked.
He also said should the other ethnics demand beyond what is guaranteed in the constitution, the Malay should do the same.
"If they want Malay privileges to be abolished, then they should stop using their languages and close down the vernacular schools," he said.
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