Najib, Hadi will continue to lead because Malays too lazy to think, says former minister

Malays will continue to vote in leaders like Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang because they are lazy and do not like to think, says former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim. – The Malaysian Insider pic, June 4, 2015.

The Malays will continue to vote in leaders like Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang because they are lazy and do not like to think, a former Umno minister said today.

In a blog posting, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said that under Najib and Hadi, Malaysia would have "a good image, good spin, but little of substance".

"Malays decide who Malaysia’s leaders are and according to (former prime minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Malays are lazy. I happen to agree with him. Malays do not like to think, which is why the current crop of leaders like Najib and Hadi Awang appeal to them," he said.

Zaid said Najib, who is the prime minister, knows this very well and this was why he was not bothered to offer a proper explanation about the controversial dealings of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

"He just needs to tell Malays that if you don’t like my way, then go away. Malays like that style and that’s why they have stayed with him," the former law minister added.

The embattled Najib is facing the worst criticism of his career ever, led by his supporter turned critic Dr Mahathir, who has called for his resignation over the 1MDB scandal, the murder of Altantuya Sharibuu and a myriad other issues.

The prime minister has, however, refused to step down, claiming that he still had the support of the people and Umno members.

Hadi, who is seeking to retain his PAS presidency in the party's muktamar this week, will also win big because he is all for the implementation of the hudud and has continuously attacked the DAP, Zaid predicted.

"Islamic laws and businesses have a bright future in Malaysia. Islamic businesses, like the halal industry, zakat collection and wakaf investments, will be corporatised even more. Making money, not spirituality, will be a priority for Jakim and the other state religious councils. Making big money is Islamic after all.

"His (Hadi's) victory will mean that hudud can finally be implemented in the country," he added.

Mocking Hadi, Zaid noted that although the Malays thought about the country's problems, they only wanted one solution to fix all problems, which is what the PAS president has promised them.

"Hadi has promised them that. His supporters even canvassed for an institute to be established to study his thoughts. He has only one: hudud," he said.

"Malaysia’s future does not depend on non-Malays because they have no real power when it comes to changing the nation’s leaders. They can’t be in PAS or UMNO as both parties only welcome Malay members, but then these fellows are unable or unwilling to think."

DAP recently announced it will freeze all ties with Hadi, citing his tendency to make unilateral decisions and continued absence at the PR leadership council meetings.

PAS's ties within PR were strained last year after Hadi openly opposed PKR's Kajang Move and the coalition's choice for Selangor menteri besar, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

PAS's push for hudud in Kelantan ‎early this year further frayed its relations with PKR and DAP, who oppose the implementation of the Islamic criminal law on the grounds that it is not included in the pact's common policy.

Painting a bleak future for non-Malays in the country, Zaid said they would merely be tax-payers, likening them to the dhimmis who lived in Muslim territories in the days of the caliphate.

"Non-Muslims can practise their religion, but only to the extent that’s permitted by the Muslim ulamaks. They can forget about their rights under the Constitution.

"Malaysia as a democracy is dead. The future will continue to be defined by leaders like Najib and Hadi Awang. Malaysia will import specialists who tell good stories, knowing full well the people will swallow them whole.

"Businessmen will continue buying government assets for cheap and then selling them later at great profit. Malaysia will continue to make news for human slavery and all the ugliness it brings," he said.

Malaysia, Zaid said, would have the best infrastructures, but it will continue to rely heavily on loans from the Arabs and it will also rank high on corruption rankings despite organising world conferences on accountability in public office.

"If things do not work out, more government assets can be injected. Figures and statistics can be threatening to the Malays, so the art of spin will feature in Malaysia’s future.

"Under the Tok Guru Hadi Awang/Najib combination, more and more Muslims will lose their fundamental rights and liberties, and many may go to jail for being 'unIslamic'. Some may even lose their limbs for stealing food and bicycles, but not for stealing 'units' and parking them in the Cayman Islands. This is Malaysia’s future," he added.

- TMI