In referring to an interview published in Mingguan Malaysia yesterday (8 July), Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad discussed the topic of present day Malay Dilemma in which he claimed that the Malay had failed to exploit its majority since independence to consolidate power and also expressed his disdain over the recognition of TARC certificates because he thought that it was done to get votes and the move was also perceived as an excessive demand that breached the “previous agreement” or the social contract he meant implicitly. Gerakan Deputy President Dato’ Chang Ko Youn is so appalled at his insensitive remarks and would like to urge the former PM to stop commenting sensitively that could disrupt the social harmony.

Dato’ Chang refutes Mahathir’s viewpoint that the recognition of TARC certificates was given because of votes. Conversely, it was established as an institution of higher learning for all young Malaysians including Malays with no admission quotas especially for those who have been deprived of the opportunity to seek education as well as to meet the rising demand from the private sector for trained professional, sub-professional and technical personnel in the task of nation building. Therefore, it was a milestone that indicated the social development and adherence of the country’s aspiration to elevate the status of education to be on par with leading foreign institutions and become an education hub regionally.

Apart from this, Dato’ Chang also denounces Mahathir’s unjustifiable remarks as he claimed that demands were made at the expense of division among the Malays. Dato’ Chang opines that it is an “imaginative threat” by the former PM himself and definitely it is unbecoming for a former PM to label other ethnics for being opportunistic and power hunger. They are aspiring for their human rights and thus making legitimate demands.

“In Gerakan, we always hold that it is important to uphold the spirit of togetherness as advocated in 1 Malaysia and there is no point we keep referring to the past and being too nostalgic as it is not helping in the socio-economic development of the nation. Nowadays, the society is more integrated with common values, goals and even dilemmas transcending the racial barriers, therefore it is important for us to move on from the past and focus more on nation-building with a truly Malaysian perspective,” said Dato’ Chang.

“Being a respectable former PM, his divisive views will only undermine his image and causing more social and political disputes,” added Dato’ Chang Ko Youn.