We want a core race, not a superior race, says Tok Mat

 

PETALING JAYA: The country has remained stagnant for the past three years and it is now in dire need of a strong and stable government to give it a much-needed jump-start, says a top Umno leader.

Such a government must also represent all Malaysians regardless of race and religion, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan told FMT in an exclusive interview.

This, he said, would not deny Malays their position in the country as they would remain the “induk” (core) race.

“We are talking about keindukan, not ‘ketuanan’ (supremacy)”.

Mohamad said the country had not gone “anywhere” in Pakatan Harapan’s 22 months in power and the one year under the Perikatan Nasional administration.

“In terms of gross domestic product (GDP), we have fallen behind Vietnam. I am afraid we will also fall behind Cambodia.”

Mohamad, more commonly known as Tok Mat, laughed off claims that Malaysia is not getting much investments because it is being selective.

“Don’t think everyone in Malaysia can be fooled,” he said, adding that in Indonesia, the Covid-19 (situation) was worse but they get a lot of investments. “Why is that so?” he asked.

Mohamad also said that in a short span of time, Malaysia’s ranking in the World Happiness Report had tumbled from 35th place in 2018 to 81st in 2021.

The report, sponsored by the United Nations, seeks to measure people’s satisfaction with their lives through economic, political, and social indicators.

“We need to jump-start the country, we do not have time for organic growth. We need to catch up.”

Elaborating on the need for a strong and stable government, Mohamad said this could only be possible if the government looked after the interest, welfare and well-being of all its citizens.

He said a strong and stable government would ensure peace in the country, and this in turn would attract investors.

“Who wants to invest in a country that is not politically stable? The government can’t hide behind Covid-19 all the time.”

GE15

On the next general election (GE15), Mohamad believes Barisan Nasional (BN) does not need a manifesto or to make outlandish promises which may not be feasible.

“What is important is to offer a strong and stable government after GE15. We can say that. BN can say that because we have a track record,” he said, adding BN had proved its credentials in delivering on this in its 62 years in power.

He acknowledged that there had been “issues” in the past but said this could be improved on through “political correctness”, a theme he would touch on in his speech at the Umno annual general assembly on Saturday.

Mohamad also said BN needed to evolve and that it could not be too rigid, adding that it must contest elections alone rather than forming coalitions before the polls.

“BN must win many seats so we can choose our partners in administering the country.”

Asked how the party expected to win non-Malay votes when it was cooperating with PAS, Mohamad said the two parties only worked together but did not merge as an entity.

He said that should BN win the most seats in the election, it would become the most dominant party in the government. He added that BN had a track record and policy of making decisions by consensus.

A government for all

Mohamad also touched on the importance of having a government for all Malaysians.

“This is a multiracial country, we cannot exclude anyone, we must be inclusive. We cannot say we want to form a Malay government, a Muslim government, but a government that represents all Malaysians.”

He said this was subject to Malays being at the “induk” (core) of the government, and that this was important because the majority of the people in this country were Malays.

“(When we talk about ‘induk’), it is like a hen that protects its chicks, when it rains the hen spreads its wings and the chicks seek shelter under it,

“When there is an eagle, the hen spreads its wings to protect its chicks. I’m talking about ‘keindukan’, not ‘ketuanan’. A mother will love all its children.” - FMT