Gerakan Youth has rebutted fourth Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s description of advocates of meritocracy as racists, saying his views are outdated and not in sync with the ever changing global landscapes.

Gerakan Youth deputy chief Oh Tong Keong said Dr Mahathir had lost touch with the feelings of Malaysians who advocate the principles of social justice and inclusiveness within the framework of 1Malaysia and New Economic Model (NEM).

Oh said Gerakan Youth viewed such comments as counter-productive to the general well-being of the nation and people.

“We respect Tun Dr Mahathir’s contributions to the nation, but we respectfully disagree with his contention to equate “Meritocrats as racists”. We believe meritocracy together with the need-based and market-friendly affirmation as envisaged in NEM are two pillars to achieve social justice, cohesiveness and inclusiveness under 1Malaysia concept,” said Oh in a statement.

Oh said every Malaysian, irrespective of race, who advocates meritocracy within the framework of 1Malaysia and NEM was indeed a nationalist whose only objective was to turn Malaysia into a truly united, inclusive, competitive and high income nation. “Everyone should be given equal opportunity to make progress in life on his or her own with the absence of a lending hand.”
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In his blog, Dr Mahathir had mocked proponents of meritocracy today, calling them racist and decried Malays who support meritocracy as having misplaced pride.

He blasted advocates of meritocracy, calling them “meritocrats” who are pushing for dominance by one race in all aspects of the country.