Too many idiots around, Malays must think rationally, Daim told HK paper

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 5 May 2019 10:30AM · 6 Comments

Special adviser Daim Zainuddin has called for Malay voters to think logically and not fall for racial rhetoric. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, May 5, 2019

A YEAR after Pakatan Harapan (PH) took over Putrajaya, Malaysia is still dogged by racial politics with many “idiots around”, said Daim Zainuddin.

The Council of Eminent Persons chairman told the South China Morning Post that he always expected the opposition to continue to fan racial sentiments because Malay votes are now split among PH’s Bersatu, PKR and Amanah; with Umno and PAS in the opposition.

He said it is easiest for the opposition to play up race and religion, and make Malays fall for “false narratives” propagated by Umno leaders.

Daim, who was once finance minister, said Malays should weigh the rot in the system during Barisan Nasional’s time in power, such as the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal and Tabung Haji, losses of billions of ringgit; and think rationally about the opposition’s narratives.

“Who stole the money? You still want them (former prime minister Najib Razak’s government)? You can have them,” he was quoted as saying.

“(The) Ministry of Finance (MOF) buys (Tabung Haji assets) for RM19 billion. You are not happy? Something wrong.  

“Oh, (Umno says) MOF is Chinese. What Chinese? This is a Pakatan Harapan government.

“You have to think rationally. Only idiots believe these things, and there are too many idiots around I say.”

In order to rescue Tabung Haji, the government set up a special purpose vehicle Urusharta Jamaah Sdn Bhd, which is under the Finance Ministry, to take over the pilgrim fund’s RM9.7 billion underperforming assets at RM19.9 billion.

The government will also inject RM17.8 billion into Tabung Haji, and fund the Islamic statutory body for 10 years from 2020 to 2030. 

The asset takeover by Urusharta Jamaah was made an issue during the Dewan Rakyat sitting early last month when Umno MPs went after Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng over the asset liquidation.

Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak-BN) hounded Lim over the funds for the assets, going as far as accusing the ministry of robbing Tabung Haji. 

“The government owes Tabung Haji RM19 billion. Where’s the money for this? Otherwise, people will think MOF has robbed Tabung Haji,” Tajuddin had said.

Raising the issue had racial and religious undertones, as Lim’s party DAP had been accused by Umno of being anti-Malay and anti-Islam for decades.

Being non-Muslim, it was also inappropriate for Lim to address issues on Islamic affairs.

The SCMP article observed how opposition personalities were stroking racial and religious tensions by targeting DAP, which has substantial seats in Parliament due to strong support from non-Muslim voters. 

It also reported that DAP’s multiracial dream of a Malaysian Malaysia is painted as a tactic to abolish Malay and Muslim rights and privileges to give all citizens equal rights.

Razlan Rafii, a former Umno Youth leader, told SCMP that DAP, a predominantly non-Malay and non-Muslim party, was controlling Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Daim said Malaysians should not buy the racial rhetoric.

“We are here together. We have to build up the strength together… there is no other alternative than living together in a multiracial society.” – May 5, 2019

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Comments

  • What for !!! talking and scolding them as idiots. Act on it. Get rid of all the idiots and retards from UmnoPAS and their political supporters of Muftis and Ustaz/Ustazah.. They are the cause !!!!!! Friday congregation are not of spiritual uplifting and teaching the Muslim to be good Islamic followers but spewing poisonous lies to sow discord and racial unrest. Act !! don't talk anymore !!! Rakyat are fed up to listen to mere words full of shits and hypocrisy.!!!!

    Posted 4 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

    • projects costing RM11 billion, pay RM50 million to OPUS Consultants (M) Sdn Bhd does not make sense

      RM305 million (consultant fee) for PH Finance Ministrys pet tunnel project costing only RM6.3 billion is good.

      Friday congregation should start accounting lesson ala DAP too

      Posted 4 years ago by Abdul hakim Bujang · Reply

  • The PH government must seriously get tough with the idiots.. They continue to undermine the efforts by OH.
    It is about your ability on how tough you can get and also your ability to think what really needs to be done..

    Posted 4 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • Whose fault is it? Three generations of poor education keeping them in the dark, ensuring they cant think on their own and years of brainwashing so UMNO could manipulate them is now coming back to haunt you guys. Its going to be hard to change 3 generations of Malays who thinks they need to defend their race and religion and their rulers. The indoctrination worked so well it is now impossible to get them to change and now it is something we have to live and fight with in perpetuity.

    Posted 4 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply

    • Very good observation. Unfortunately those who think alike as u are actually wasting time. Malays are like sheeps, they go where they are lead to. At the same time they never sit down to think indepth of what was told to them, the weigh the truth and lies. Malaysia will never progress with this kind of attitude or mindset. We live in a multi race society with malay majority of 65% and islam being accepted as national religion. Yet these idiots listen to "paid" Muftis to promote race and religion hatred. To remain in power UMNO played this card to the hilt and it worked. Educated malays realised this and voted PH while the uneducated ones voted UMNO. Right now the momentum of disruption, destroying PH image as pro chinese is taking roots.

      Posted 4 years ago by Jon Lam · Reply

  • I think he referred to the opposition as idiots including MCA and MIC?

    Posted 4 years ago by Hisham Mokhtar · Reply