No more easy contracts for Bumiputera even if it means losing votes, says Dr Mahathir

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 5 years ago · Published on 1 Sep 2018 10:33AM · 7 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the New Economic Policy has over the years granted many business and scholarship opportunities to the Bumiputeras, who have abused the privilege. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, September 1, 2018.

THE new Pakatan Harapan government will not hand out “easy contracts” to Bumiputera companies to sell even if it means losing support in the next general election, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir said the government would terminate existing contracts that were found to have been been sold for a quick profit.

“Success comes from being industrious and adopting the right values. People must not sell the opportunities – approved permits (APs) and contracts – to get rich quickly.

“Help will not be given to those who just want to get rich quickly,” he said in his keynote address at the “Congress on the Future of Bumiputeras and the Nation”, today.

“Even if this government is defeated because we don’t give contracts, it’s okay. We are not here to destroy our own.”

Dr Mahathir said calls for Malay supremacy meant nothing if the Malays themselves failed to improve their lot through better work ethics.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says Malays won't advance if they do not take up proper values. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, September 1, 2018.

“What’s the use of calling ourselves ‘bosses’; we are proud when we are bosses. If we drive a car, and there’s somebody at the back directing us on where to go, are we the boss or is the one at the back the boss?

“It’s useless to cry out like the others, Malay supremacy, Malay supremacy. Malay supremacy, but we are slaves, not bosses.”

Dr Mahathir warned that the Malays will regress if their attitude persists.

“We will continue to regress if this process continues, unless we try to find a way to succeed in business and entrepreneurship,” he said.

In the 40-minute address, Dr Mahathir said the New Economic Policy had given many business and scholarship opportunities to the Bumiputeras over the years.

But he noted that many were more interested in selling the contracts for a quick profit hence the Bumiputera continued to lag behind other communities.

As examples, he cited APs and contracts to build computer labs in schools.

“Most were willing to sell the APs for RM8,000 and some made almost RM80,000 per month by selling them. 

“But one used the opportunity to build his business by buying APs instead. Today, they are not just selling cars but assembling them,” said Dr Mahathir.

Contractors had also sold their government contracts to build computer labs in schools, he said.

De facto PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim will deliver the closing remarks at the conference later today. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, September 1, 2018.

“They sold it and the next person sold it too. And by the (time it reaches the) last contractor, there was not enough money to build proper computer labs – the labs crumbled,” he said.

The 93-year-old leader said he hoped the congress would work on the ethics of the Bumiputera.

“I don’t have good news for you today. As usual, I’m here to criticise and lecture the Bumiputera. I hope this congress is serious about rectifying issues.

“If after the congress, you wait for opportunities to come easily, it won’t work. There are no such opportunities,” said Dr Mahathir.

The session attended by some 2,500 delegates also features Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali and de facto PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar will deliver the closing remarks at the conference later today. –  September 1, 2018.
 

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Comments

  • Great speech Tun. Now walk the talk.

    Posted 5 years ago by Sabah One · Reply

    • When one comments anonymously, he has zero credibility to demand accountability.

      Posted 5 years ago by Lee Yih Ven · Reply

  • First case, yang mengaku panglima Melayu anak buah Datok Maharaja Lela......UITM Tapah.....

    Posted 5 years ago by Azis Yusoff · Reply

  • Great to have both Tun and Anwar to leads this congress.

    Posted 5 years ago by Wei Kuan Tan · Reply

  • Pm made a strong and honest Speech at the Bumi Conference today . He deserves. Our full support for advising the Bumi entrepreneurs frankly ! After about 50 years of the NEP , too few Bumi businessmen have enjoyed sustainable development and progress ! Too many have become dependent on Crutches as Pm has boldly stated repeatedly ! The future faster pace of development depends on the quality of our education system , More Competition and more Meritocracy . Please go for Genuine Help for all the Poor regardless of Race and Religion and the outdated policy of Ketuanan / Supremacy
    And we will all be more united and s Happier Country ! Let this be our 2018 Merdeka Resolution - to build a strong Malaysian Race and not focus on Malays and that too mainly on the Malay elite !
    I hope the PH Givt and all Moderate Malaysians will rally around Tun Mahathirs call for new enlightened policies in the New Malaysia! Maju Malaysia !
    Ts Ramon Navaratnam

    Posted 5 years ago by Ramon Navaratnam · Reply

  • IF Tun Dr. M thinks that historically Malays can be weak in upgrading themselves, then no harm in having a shorter-term Ministry for Malay Affairs established to brainstorm their problems & to provide solutions, long-term or otherwise? Malays, like our Orang Asli here, and Orang Asal in Sabah and Sarawak, should not lag behind so much the others?..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • It's already late, hopefully not too late. New dawn, cash is not King. TDM, well said. Let's stop the cash hand out, replace it with skill and knowledge.

    Posted 5 years ago by Ramli Sirap · Reply