SHAH ALAM, 11 MAR: The privatisation policy from the time of former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad did not defend the Malay community, said Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
In fact, he said, only a few percent of wealth and shares in various privatisation projects reached the hands of the Malay community.
“Previously, he (Mahathir) implemented the New Economic Policy, but those who benefited were not the Malays,” said Abdul Khalid when commenting on Dr Mahathir’s statement a few days ago.
Dr Mahathir said that Selangor has to be rescued from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to ensure the rights and position of the Malay community, as well as the Bumiputera community, remains in Selangor and that the position of Islam retains as the official religion of the country.
Mahathir earlier said that PR has already dominated the Selangor economy and now has a deep desire to dominate the politics of the state.
Commenting further on the matter, Abdul Khalid said that the usage of mosques and suraus have been more vibrant under the administration of PR compared to that of during the Umno-BN administration.
“For example, for the Qiamullail night programme, at least five thousand people are present in a mosque. This did not happen during Mahathir’s era.
“Similarly when there is a festival at the mosque, where thousands of people will attend.
“So in terms of Muslims and the usage of Muslim houses of worship, it is highly accepted by the people of Selangor,” he told reporters after officiating the Halal Executive Seminar and Industry Dialogue at the Blue Wave Hotel here.
“I thought that he (Mahathir) did not follow developments. I really hope that he will stop this effort because he has exceeded the time where we needed him,” he said.