Dr Mahathir’s biggest regret is failure to close wealth gap between races

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 9 Nov 2019 1:15PM · 6 Comments

Dr Mahathir Mohamad says his failure as prime minister is to uplift the Malays so that they’re economically on a par with the Chinese. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, November 9, 2019.

DR Mahathir Mohamad’s greatest regret of his political career is failing to close the wealth gap between the ethnic groups, the nonagenarian prime minister told The Sydney Morning Herald.

In an interview with journalist James Massola, the full transcript of which has been released online, Dr Mahathir, who is prime minister for the second time, said he failed to ensure that “all the different races in Malaysia enjoy the same opportunities”.

He said he failed to ensure that the races “are not too much separated in terms of their wealth”.

“For example, there is a great disparity between the Chinese and the Malays. 

“I spent a lot of time trying to bring up the Malays so that they can catch up so at least they’re not too far behind the Chinese.

“But I failed. I failed, I must say, because the Malays themselves did not respond to our efforts,” he said.

Dr Mahathir also shared the transcript on his official Twitter account. The interview was conducted in Bangkok on the sidelines of the Asean summit last week.

Dr Mahathir, who is now Pakatan Harapan chairman, led Malaysia for 22 years before stepping down in 2003. He was the leader of Umno, the ruling Malay party at the time.

He was synonymous with Malaysia’s rapid industrialisation and creation of Bumiputera millionaires and entrepreneurs during his first tenure, which have led to claims of cronyism.

He told the Australian paper that for all the efforts he had put in to uplift the Malays “their response is not right”.

“They don’t use the opportunities given to them in the right way. Even now I am still trying.”

He spoke about the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, which Putrajaya launched last month, aimed at reducing income disparity.

But Dr Mahathir said the vision needed Malays to respond in order to succeed.

“If they don’t respond and they abuse it, then of course we will not achieve our target.” – November 9, 2019.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • Well he certainly seemed to have been more than successful with his family members. I wonder what's his secret?

    Posted 4 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • Or...

    Your biggest failure was in choosing successors who turned out to be massive failures?

    Question is - will you repeat it again ?

    Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • You failed simply because you did the wrong way. Instead of meritocracy you have embarked on supremacy which produces corrupt and unproductive people, that's why you failed. What is more puzzling is you are still doing the same old way.

    Have a look at our southern neigbor, see for yourself how they are able to do better and move forward well before you.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Yes...the key word is intra RACE....millions of impoverished Malays and a few crony billionaires....you managed all these in your watch.

    Posted 4 years ago by KC Yip · Reply

  • why dont you just blame it on pendatang again? we are used to it...

    Posted 4 years ago by . . · Reply

  • DR M, many regrets-we know your style. Nepotism is a policy that is well known by Malaysians. You children have enriched themselves-its public knowledge. Now you say you regret but this was your policy to advance many Malays who then like Animal Farm were too Bumiputras for bumiputras. Additionally, you talk about amending SOSMA-Malaysian citizens arrested by the mere signature of a Minister on your instruction ( Operation Lalang)-families suffered without their loved ones, thanks to you. But saying that you are going to amend SOSAM is not right, Before elections Manifesto was repeal. But even then you are using legislation to arrest people even thought it needs to be amended ( knowing it is wrong). It is like Washington saying Slavery is bad , a crime and having 700 slaves. Over the years, you have damaged the relationship Malaysian Shadhad in the 1960s. Anwar Ibrahim has a lot of work to do to rectify the damage to human rights, among other issues plaguing Malaysia.

    Posted 4 years ago by Justin McGregor · Reply