Mahathir Mohamad tells Malay-Muslims to ‘work harder’

Controversial remarks by the Malaysian leader come amid rising racial tensions and a campaign calling for a boycott on ‘non-Muslim’ products

His words have been seized on by the right-wing opposition, just days ahead of a mega-rally to mark Umno’s partnership with the Malaysian Islamic Party

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Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Photo: AP

Published: 11:00am, 7 Sep 2019Updated: 9:43pm, 7 Sep 2019

Just days before a mega-rally organised by Malaysia’s race- and religion-based opposition parties, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has launched a blistering salvo against the ethnic Malay-Muslim community, calling on them to “work harder” to achieve success rather than merely getting angry at others.

In a blog post on Friday, Mahathir said Malays – who form the bulk of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic electorate – “still refuse to work”.

“Malays should realise what is happening to them. Unfortunately, they have not realised. Even now Malays are not aware. Foreigners have flooded our country. Seven million foreigners are still here. They work. What will happen to the Malays?” he wrote. Malaysia’s population is around 31 million.

Mahathir, who also served as prime minister from 1981 to 2003, has long railed against what he perceives as the Malay community’s lack of drive. During his first stint as prime minister, he pushed for the country’s industrialisation and fiercely promoted race-based affirmative action policies aimed at reducing socioeconomic inequality between the Malays and other races in Malaysia, which include ethnic Chinese and Indians.

Supporters of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno). The party is teaming up with the Malaysian Islamic Party and is to hold a two-day mega-rally ahead of Malaysia Day. Photo: AFP

“Our fate is in our own hands. Getting angry with other people will not solve our problems … Because [Malays] were not willing to work hard, to do business seriously, they remained poor,” wrote Mahathir, who returned to power in last year’s general election.