Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad blogged on the 53rd National Day eve that “today the races are more divided than ever”.
The implications of Mahathir’s statement merits attention.
Here we have the country’s longest-serving Prime Minister in fact telling the current Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak that despite this year’s Merdeka Month theme: “1Malaysia: Transforming the Nation” and the latter’s 1Malaysia policy and National Transformation Programme for 18 months since assuming the highest office in the land in April last year, national unity and inter-racial relations had never been so bad at present as compared to any time in the 22 years Mahathir had been Prime Minister from 1981 – 2003.
Would Najib agree to this Mahathir assessment as the present Prime Minister was during those 22 years of Mahathir premiership either Pahang Mentri Besar or a Cabinet Minister, starting as Minister for Youth and Sports before being appointed to Education and later Defence portfolios – while in Umno, occupying the posts of Umno Youth Leader (especially during the Operation Lalang years) and Umno National Vice President from 1995-2003?
Even more serious is Mahathir’s virtual dismissal of Najib’s National Transformation Programme, particularly the two Najib signature programmes of 1Malaysia and New Economic Model.
Mahathir had first opened fire on Najib’s 1Malaysia policy early last month, lamenting that it had failed to unite Malaysians as a whole and urging “further explanation” from Najib to prevent the 1Malaysia policy from being interpreted differently by various races.
The former Prime Minister has followed up with a wholesale attack on Najib’s National Transformation Agenda by the end of the month, declaring his opposition to the New Economic Model (NEM) unveiled by Najib on 30th March this year with the warning that the removal of NEP-style policies could lead to a revolution – referring specifically to NEM proposals for new affirmative action policies which are market-friendly and needs-based to consider all ethnic groups fairly and equally as long as they are in the low income 40% of households earning less than RM1,500 per month (of which 77.2% are bumiputeras)..
Mahathir even equated and condemned meritocracy as racism – when meritocracy is one of the principles of Najib’s “1Malaysia. People First. Performance Now” policy.
Clearly, on the occasion of the 53rd National Day Mahathir has crossed the Rubicon to become Najib’s biggest antagonist in Umno and the major obstacle to Najib’s 1Malaysia and National Transformation Agenda
Will Najib back down from his 1Malaysia and National Transformation Agenda?
If not, who will win the battle in Umno and Barisan Nasional for allegiance – the Najib or Mahathir forces?
#1 by lorry_driver_malaysia on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 1:55 pm
Mahatir’s son became billionaire because of racism or meritocracy?
#2 by dagen on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 2:06 pm
Aiyah why waste saliva dr mamak. Just go for the heart ma. What 1malaysia no good this and no good that. Tell us some true stories about the good daughter of mother gobi.
#3 by Bigjoe on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 2:11 pm
The issue is even if Mahathir is not around, Mahathirist and Mahathirism will still linger for a long time to come. The mutation is irreversible – he made sure of that.
How do you tackle mutation? Even if a socio-cultural one, its genetically fused with a significant group. Its not the likes of Ibrahim Ali we have to worry about after Mahathir is gone. There are hidden ones that need to worry even more – the Perkasa Youth, Siti Inshah, Ahmad Ismails, Nik Ali, Nasir Safar etc. They are bigger zealot and has less self-control than the likes of Ibrahim Ali and Mahathir.
Worrying about Najib backing down is like waiting for the last line of defense to fall against the attack of the invading horde. It would be already too late. And its going to happen. Its actually better to hasten it.
What surprises me is that Najib is actually delaying a general election. Either he go ASAP or he make a long bet on things turning around in 2013. That means Mahathir has to go meet his maker by early 2012 or he will be in trouble. Anything later, and he is done for, he won’t have time to turn the tables on the Mahathirist.
#4 by boh-liao on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 2:16 pm
Enuf comments oredi on d maha racist MMK
Nothing new, just utter rubbish n ta~hi fr dis guy
More interesting is d new school so quickly materialised after dreamt up by Melaka CM
In Jasin, d nation’s first school for pregnant teens opens 2day
Amazing! So resourceful Melaka CM
#5 by Bunch of Suckers on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 3:02 pm
BN/UMNO is trying to show the world that our Bolehland is really democrazy rather than democracy!
Whenever there is a change in Premiership before the election date or ending term! Any governing party has to hold election instantly as to win public mandate to continue governing and leading the nation.
Recently, look at Aussie Labor Party change of PM and held election before the ending term. The election results really reflected the true mandate that general public dislike this PM and the Labor Party to continue leading and governing the nation, AUS’LAND…
Our Bolehland change of PM without holding G Election as to determine and win the true mandate to lead the nation. Instead, this PM comes up with all sorts of shitty slogans (1Malaysia, 2Malaysia, 3Malaysia & UMNOputra Performance First and New Economic Models, such as “Rambuatan Tree Economic Policies & Principle”, “You help me; I help you”, EMPTY PROMISES and etc etc…
Vote PR to terminate this racist BN/UMNO…
#6 by HJ Angus on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 3:19 pm
the school for pregnant girls is not such a bad idea.
However, it is important that the girls are not subject to religious abuse at the school.
What they need is care and understanding and not being treated as criminals.
#7 by Bigjoe on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 3:45 pm
The lastest description by Najib of what NEM and 1Malaysia is laughable. Basically he said NEM is the same as PR ‘need-based’ affirmative action and 1Malaysia is the same as Ketuanan Rakyat.
If Najib means what he says, his choice is ask his Cabinet to resign, join Pakatan and hand the keys of his office to Anwar.
#8 by Peter on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 4:03 pm
This racialistic and corrupted to the core spin Dr Mamakutty should be called ‘Bapa Rasuah Malaysia Moden’. During his 21 years in power, the integrity and credibility of all civil and national institutions have been completely destroyed. He has spanking hardware such as KLIA, Twin Towers, LRT, Putrajaya and the North South Highway to show as his legacy of wastage. All these build by public funds especially oil money which any fool of a prime minister can do.
He has failed to build on the human resources and software of the people and to elevate the country to a high-income one, create a world-class automobile, public transport and oil/gas industry, global high-ranking universities and nurture the innate talent and skills of Malaysians to be successful, remain in the country and be proud it. All these will create reinvestment and wealth for the good of all. Instead he has only created a few billionaires and multi-millionaires from his cronies and his own family. He has failed the nation and must be brought to justice.
This senile bum also distinguishes himself as the ‘Father of Blaming Everyone Except Himself’ for all the existing problems confronting the country such as racism, religious bigotry and intolerance, endemic corruption, nepotism, cronyism, acute income disparity, declining education standards, failing democratic institutions, declining economic competitiveness, illegal immigrants, etc, as if they just crop up during TAB’s (Tun Abdullah Badawi’s) tenure and now Najib Razak’s administration. These problems take decades to take root and during his 22 years tenure they were given much leeway and encouragement to fester and grow cancerous. Affirmative actions are never racist in spirit but Mamakutty made it racist in action and in deed. He made it very sure that Malaysians identify themselves by race/religion first and secondly by nationality. So now, we have a self-declared ‘Malay first and Malaysian second’ DPM.
#9 by undertaker888 on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 5:37 pm
aiyo,,,these mamak, katak, and et al can talk about ketuanan, meritocracy, nep, nem, clean, unclean, pendatang, and all holy than thou talk…at the end on the day, what matters are $$$$$$$$$ and power to them cronies and families. that’s all they care.
they kind of reminds me of the sadducees and pharisees. you know, the generation of vipers. they keep calling me Father, but they keep on doing the works of the Devil. pordah!!
#10 by a_small_potato on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 7:15 pm
I think Malaysia’s only hope is the next generation, where they are brought up to call themselves Malaysian…not Malaysian Chinese, Malaysian Indian, Malaysian Malay, etc. Mahathir or Badawi or Najib…no difference…
Malaysia is the way it is because of the divide among the population due to the emphasis on races. Until the day we can eliminate chinese, indian and malay political parties…the rest is just talk talk talk … meaningless talk. Until the next generation wakes up and believes in equality and rights and call themselves as Malaysian… there’s no hope.
#11 by boh-liao on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 7:58 pm
Enuf of sicko news
We want 2 know abt positif news, progress n development
LKS, tell us in your blog what DAP n PR hv achieved since 308
For a start, dis is not bad fr Penang
http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/2010/08/blog-post_6933.html
We want more
Tell us more fr Selangor, Kedah, Ketantan
#12 by Taxidriver on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 9:18 pm
Mahathir and those traitorous bunch of Melayus are trying to instill fear in the Malay Community,. wanting them to believe that the implementation of Najib’s 1Malaysia and the NEM will mean the end of Government assistance for the Malay Race. These traitors have forgotten that the present generation of Malays are smarter than they think.
They are telling Mahathir go ”Sik chiu” because over 80% of poor Malays did not receive any help from during his 22 years as PM. They want to know where the hundreds of billions ringgit supposedly to help the poor Malays gone to? Had UMNO been sincere in helping the Malays, today they would be no poor Malays. ” Semua pemimpin UMNO hanya jaga kepentingan diri. Jangan tipu lagi, orang Melayu bukan bodoh macam dulu”
I have heard quite a number of Malays saying things like the above. It can be an indication that support for UMNO in Johor is eroding. PR should do more field work in Johor State.
#13 by Taxidriver on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 9:43 pm
Beh Ah Tee loves to be in the limelight. That is why he talks nonsense to get attention Only fools will think he is smart; but smart people think he is a fool.
When he was PM, he liked to have a big crowds welcome him wherever he went. Once he came to JB his ‘caddys’ went everywhere including to factories to give RM20 to whoever wanted to go to welcome him at Senai Airport. I was also offered RM50 by somebody from UMNO to go give him a rousing welcome. I told him I was not free to go.
#14 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 10:16 pm
I read some letter somewhere in “Malysia Today”, I think where some brave Malay lady asked the Malaysian Maverick how come the mamaks have become Malays and Bumiputras?
First generation mamaks have become more privileged and ‘snatched’ opportunities and privileges rightly belonging to Malays and Bumiputras, or so it seems. We are not even talking here about 5th generation Chinese or 5th generation Indians.
Would the very, very distinguished Tun care to blog a reply to this fiasco?
#15 by waterfrontcoolie on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 11:28 pm
At this stage of his life, he has only one ambition; to follow the footstep of Tun Razak whose son helm the post. he couldn’t wait to see his son doing the same thing in the mould of Lau Lee; witnessing his own blood sitting up there! This where the semblance ends. there is no need to elaborate!
#16 by Taxidriver on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 - 11:54 pm
waterfrontcoolie #13
In Lau Lee’s case his Jr got the backside to sit on the PM’s chair. Does Muflis have the backside to sit on the perdand memteri’s chair?
The Chinese say: if you don’t have big backsides, don’t sit on big chairs.
#17 by k1980 on Thursday, 2 September 2010 - 9:20 am
The overall swing to and against BN in past general elections are as follows: (sourced from The Star)
1995 – 11.8% swing to BN due to Dr. M’s liberalization policies
1999 – 8.7% swing to opposition due to Anwar factor
2004 – 7.4% swing to BN due to new PM Badawi
2008 – 10.7% swing to opposition due to tsunami.
Will the mamak’s racist speeches cause another swing to PR in the coming 13GE?
#18 by Joetan on Thursday, 2 September 2010 - 10:47 am
I still cannot understand a racist person like Mahathir can become the chairman of perdana global peace. Whatever come out from this person mouth does not bring peace but HATRED. Malaysia is the laughing stock of the world to have this man as the chairman of that foundation. This man is only qualified to go down the history as THE FATHER OF RACISM.
#19 by HJ Angus on Thursday, 2 September 2010 - 10:47 am
Yesterday I watch a news clip of Najib speaking about his economic ideas and it appears TDM’s critique has had some effect.
http://malaysiawatch4.blogspot.com/2010/09/when-will-najib-learn-his-abcs-properly.html
#20 by HJ Angus on Thursday, 2 September 2010 - 11:04 am
Sorry typo:
I watched
#21 by David69 on Friday, 3 September 2010 - 10:42 am
Let’s put it this way, both the mamak and PM are nonsense on 1Malaysia and NEM or whatever it is.