for your reading pleasure. source: STI

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Jun 15, 2010
'We might kowtow if...'
Ex-PM Mahathir says political split could make them a weak minority, 'like S'pore Malays'
By Reme Ahmad, Assistant Foreign Editor

Dr Mahathir said Malay Malaysians did not want others to kowtow before them, but wanted a fair distribution of wealth and power.

KUALA TERENGGANU - MALAYS in Malaysia could end up as a weak minority if they remain politically divided, said former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, comparing them to Malay Singaporeans.

Even though Malay Singaporeans enjoy the benefits of a more developed country, they had to 'kowtow' to others, he claimed yesterday, returning to a rhetoric he often espoused as prime minister.

Dr Mahathir addressed some 1,000 Malay activists at a Malay rights rally in the capital of Terengganu state. This was well below the expected turnout of 5,000, and organisers blamed this on the World Cup, reported The Star newspaper.

Dr Mahathir said: 'The position of the Malays (in Malaysia) is in deep crisis and precarious. If they do not think deeply and act wisely, one day, we could become like Malay Singaporeans, a group without power who have to terbongkok-bongkok (kowtow) before others.

'We do not want others to kowtow before us, but we want a fair distribution of power and wealth.'

Tun Dr Mahathir's speech came amid fears among some in the community that Malays will lose their dominant status in Malaysia, especially with the increasing influence of opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat and its focus on multiracialism.

... anyway, he goes on to sae that if there were no protection of malays, and Malaysia go democratic, Malays will lose out to other races. then he goes on to argue that malays are weaker and shld b allowed more opportunities; by giving opp to the weak then we will facilitate a more homogeneous society. then he goes on to argue this is why the admission criteria of university is some ratio of malays must be in.


but imo, sorry dr mahathir, ur own fellow countryman has stood up for the truth and spoke. it seems that ur discriminatory methods have led to self-resignation and corruption and not achieving economic efficiency. yea. economic efficiency. u want money for urself or for ur country? think about it. HAHA.

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I READ with concern Tuesday's report, 'Malaysian Malays might kowtow to others if...', in which former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad claims that even though Malay Singaporeans enjoy the benefits of a more developed country, they have to 'terbongkok-bongkok' (kowtow) to others.

Tun Dr Mahathir could have been more sensitive towards the feelings of Singapore Malays.

As a Malay Singaporean living and working peacefully with fellow Singaporeans of all races, I cannot agree with what he said.

Singapore's leaders worked hard for many years to achieve racial harmony, tolerance and understanding among Singaporeans. Today, we live and work together as one family; and we have reaped the rewards of being one of the safest and most developed nations in the world.

While Dr Mahathir's opinion on Malay Singaporeans enjoying the benefits of a developed country is spot-on, we have never kowtowed to others. Singaporeans of all races, including Malays, engage in healthy debate and discussions with our Government. The decisions made by the Government, after hearing feedback from its people, are respected as we trust it is in the best interests of all Singaporeans.

Through community support and hard work, Malay students in Singapore have bettered their results in various national examinations. Such achievements are celebrated by all Singaporeans.

With better education, Malay Singaporeans have achieved a better lifestyle for their families compared with a large percentage of Malays in Malaysia. We worked hard to be where we are today and in no way kowtow to anyone to gain success. Meritocracy remains the benchmark of our society. While this works in Singapore, it may not work in Malaysia.

Having many relatives, friends and business associates of all races in Malaysia requires me to travel frequently across the Causeway. Over the years, I have seen and learnt that for the minority to succeed in Malaysia, they need to kowtow to others.

The irony is that many ordinary Malaysian Malays who have no connections, or fail to share their potential success with the 'right' people, will never have it easy to succeed. Perhaps, favouritism, cronyism and bribery are problems Dr Mahathir may want to address in his country.

As for me, a Malay Singaporean, I would like to say thank you to my Singapore leaders. You have made Singapore the best place to live peacefully in for me and my family.

Mustaffa Othman

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what say you? haha. well protection may work to some extent. but now protection of malays is such a state that malays all turn resigned to the fact that the state will help them. pls, u say chinese there are sucking malay wealth. fren, they worked their asses and got their money, thus obviously they will accumulate wealth. if the malays are as hardworking over in malaysia, confirm will have same money as chinese if not more.

in s'pore malay study den can alr. ppl in parliament probably can testify to that.

but maybe this issue not so much of concern to me, i shall not kaypoh anymore. i tink malaysians will have more to say than me to this issue HAHA