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NST – ‘Can Malays, Bumis compete if 3 million Chinese nationals come here?’ (extracts):
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad voiced his fear that Malays and the Bumiputera would not be able to compete if Malaysia welcomes a flood of traders and entrepreneurs from China.
The prime minister said the traders and entrepreneurs differed from the Chinese who have been in Malaysia for generations, who were originally involved in small businesses and started out as labourers.
“Today, the children of our Chinese people have achieved success. Some have become millionaires, their businesses have grown while they also own skyscrapers.
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| Indeed, how to compete against such poor new villagers who worked like ants and bees? |
“If we bring in another three million people from China, what will happen to us? They are strong, able, knowledgeable in business; they come not as labourers but as successful entrepreneurs.
“Can we compete with them?”
Dr Mahathir was speaking during a question-and-answer session at the Congress on Future of Bumiputera and the Nation 2018 at the KL Convention Centre on Saturday.
Dr Mahathir said the presence of numerous traders and entrepreneurs could also see the Bumiputera and Malays lose their place.
“I am certain that if we bring in three million more people from China, we will lose our place. The rich among them will buy our land. We will be moved further from the city until we have to live next to the jungle.
“This is what I am seeing. Singapore was once ours, and now we cannot dominate Singapore because our people cannot compete with the Chinese,” he said.
