Ask yourselves why you’ve been left behind in wealth race, Ku Li tells Malays
Lee Shi-Ian, TMI
Instead of wailing, lamenting and demanding more Bumiputera participation in the economy, Malays should take a good look at themselves and ask why they have been left behind, said veteran politician Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
Tengku Razaleigh, or known as Ku Li, noted that the number of Malays holding key positions in the corporate sector had decreased compared with previous years.
While Felda Global Ventures (FGV) has spread its wings to other countries and boosted trade, it did not involve many Malays.
“The halal product industry is sadly controlled and dominated by non-Malays. The most disappointing thing is that several Malays, who founded local businesses, are no longer the owners but workers of the companies,” Ku Li said when opening the 4th Perkasa general assembly in Kuala Lumpur today.
“Let me make it clear, these developments are not related to racial issues or the special rights of Malays being ignored.
“The core of the issue is that Malays have lost their edge in an increasingly competitive business arena.”
Malays can no longer blame others for monopolising economic wealth in Malaysia because they have been given numerous opportunities and aid.
It is time for them to equip themselves with the necessary knowledge to succeed in the business arena.
Ku Li said the Malays should be taught skills and knowledge so that they would learn how to be independent instead of constantly relying on the Government.
He said if Malays continued to be dependent on Putrajaya, they would be swallowed by globalisation.
Ku Li also said Perkasa should take a good look at itself and ask why it has been mocked and ignored by the Malay community whose rights the party professes to struggle for.
