Muhyiddin's arrogant and insensitive remarks a black letter day for Najib’s 1 Malaysia concept and slogan

Yesterday might have been a lucky day for Muhyiddin but it certainly was a black letter day for Najib’s 1 Malaysia concept and slogan.

Four days from celebrating Malaysia Day, Cabinet Minister Dato’ Seri Nazri has said that the time has come for all to think as Malaysians.

Then yesterday, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib announced a massive economic empowerment agenda for bumiputras.

Najib once said the era where the government knows best is over and he must answer a few questions in relation to his announcement.

The first question is why did he not announce an empowerment plan for all Malaysians? Is it not time that the government must think Malaysian first and all policies should be Malaysian first?

The race based affirmative New Economic Policy (NEP) was implemented in 1971 to help the bumiputras and decades have passed, plan after plan have been subsequently introduced, yet they have all failed to achieve the targets.

So the second question that is why have the plans failed and will this new plan succeed?Raced based affirmative policy has encouraged racial consciousness rather than national consciousness and this has affected efforts to forge genuine unity among Malaysians.

So the third question is does NEP mean Never Ending Policy? When will need based affirmative policy be implemented?

On May 6, Najib’s has branded the May 5 polls results as Chinese tsunami. When launching the Economic Empowerment Agenda for Bumiputras, he thanked bumiputras for supporting the BN.

My fourth question is that since he is blatantly making the announcement as a reward for loyalty programme, is he not practicing vindictive politics? What has happened to his remarks made after the polls results that there should be national reconciliation?

My final question is for Tan Sri Muhyiddin – why do you have to make such arrogant and insensitive remarks?

Following the announcement of multi-billion ringgit measures to give bumiputeras business, training and asset opportunities, he has said:-

"For me, today is a very lucky day and indeed the most-awaited event. We are not apologetic or worried if the non-bumiputeras or even the international communities see this as something concerning only a certain group”.Muhyiddin must always remember that there are victims under a race based affirmative policy and the government has implemented such a policy for decades.

Is he not aware that there have been victims who could not enter the universities of their choice or obtain scholarship, losing to others with lower grades; victims who suffered in terms of employment opportunities and promotions, victims who lose out in business opportunities?

Yesterday might have been a lucky day for Muhyiddin but it certainly was a black letter day for Najib’s 1 Malaysia concept and slogan.

50th anniversary of Malaysia day is marked with Najib’s 1 Malaysia concept and slogan in tatters.

Teresa Kok Suh Sim DAP National Vice Chairperson & MP for Seputeh