Malays told to 'grow a spine', stop blaming others

Outspoken champion of Malay rights Dr Mahathir Mohamad has called on Malays to stand up for themselves when attacked by other races.

He also called on them to self-criticise and stop blaming others when questioning why they have not achieved as much as other the races.

The former prime minister said this despite acknowledging that other people have "betrayed" the Malays.

However, he cautioned that Malays should argue based on "irrefutable facts" and not get emotional when they are run down by the other races.

For example, he said, when told that Malays are "poor quality", they should contend that Malaysia advanced faster than its peers who gained independence around the same time.

"How could Malaysia develop to be among the more advanced among developing countries when it was administered by Malays who are 'poor quality'?" he asked.

He said that the "poor quality Malay" remark was made by a "Chinese" expert quoted in Malaysiakini, and not a single Malay stood up against the expert.

'Racist' to use the word 'Malay'

Speaking at a Malay Chamber of Commerce event, he said that Malays cannot deny that a lot has been done to assist them in the past, with limited success.

"I understand that some of us are dissatisfied with the policies, but if we try to empower people who don't know what to do with the power, then they will not become strong," he said.

"What has happened to Malays who were given timber concessions and became rich by selling the land to the Chinese? Or those who got approved permits and licences? Are they successful?

"Only some are, like the founder of Naza, who used his AP to found a business, and that is not the business of selling APs received for free."

He added that as much as Malays want to scream and shout about their hardships, the situation today is not the same as it was in 1969, when the New Economic Policy (NEP) was introduced.

He said that this is because Malays are not longer united, and as such have no clout to demand much.

"You can't even use the word Malay now, it is racist to say so, and not racist to say Chinese or Indian...but I am a racist, so I am allowed," he quipped, adding that the same taboo also surrounds the NEP.