Dr M hits out at BR1M again, says Najib still thinks ‘cash is king’
(The Malaysian Insider) – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has again criticised Putrajaya’s 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) cash handout to help the people cope with the rising cost of living, saying he had advised Datuk Seri Najib Razak against it but was ignored.
“Instead of giving cash, we should provide the people with training and skills. I have told this to Najib but he still thinks cash is king and that it can gain support,” the former prime minister said in reply to questions from participants at a youth leadership convention in Kuala Lumpur today.
He was asked why the Malays remained weak despite government aid and initiatives to improve their lot.
Earlier, Dr Mahathir said under the New Economic Policy, Malays were given 20 years to achieve a 30% share of the economy but the policy had failed.
“The period was extended but we still could not reach the target. We achieved some 10% to 20% only.”
He said the Malays now had to wake up, warning that the “tongkat” (crutch) could not be there forever.
“After a certain period we have to remove the tongkat. But some people think it is their right to have the tongkat, which is not right at all.”
Dr Mahathir has been vocal lately in criticising Najib. Among the issues he has raised was the controversial sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, criticising Putrajaya for mismanaging its finances.
He had asked Putrajaya to explain how 1MDB benefitted Malaysians, as it incurred a RM38 billion debt within just five years of its operations.
Dr Mahathir had also hit out at Najib and other Umno leaders for failing to address the controversies surrounding 1MDB at last month’s Umno general assembly.
1MDB, which is Najib’s brainchild, has come under much scrutiny after several opposition leaders highlighted its massive debts, dubious land deals and secrecy over its transactions.
Dismissing talks that he was behind Batu Kawan Umno division leader Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan’s lodging a police report against 1MDB as well as the open letter by another grassroots leader who demanded that Najib step down, Dr Mahathir said today that people liked to blame him for everything.
“People tend to blame me for all, including the good things. So for the good ones, I accept the blame, but the bad ones, I deny it,” he said in jest.
