YOURSAY | Mahathir was given 24 years to fix the problem, and he failed.

M'sian solutions don't work for 'economically-backward' Malays - Pejuang

Dizzer: Racist political parties (Umno, PAS, Bersatu, Pejuang) are desperately trying to maintain the illusion of Malay poverty and backwardness to justify their 'struggle'.

This so-called 'struggle', as the data clearly shows, is fictitious (a struggle with reality or a struggle to fill their pockets more like) and is used to perpetuate demands for a continuation of the New Economic Policy (NEP).

Former World Bank social scientist Lim Teck Ghee and other economists revealed long ago the deceitful use of statistics that lies behind this myth.

The figures cited in the report only support their contentions. The fact that 71 percent of those earning less than RM3,000 are bumiputera is hardly shocking when 69.5 percent of the population is bumiputera.

Someone needs to explain these simple figures to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his ethno-nationalist friends, but perhaps he's passed the point of no return.

AB Sulaiman: I like the way the article fact-checked Mahathir when he claimed the age-old lament that the Malays are still economically backward.

This is done with highlighting the new statistics produced by The Edge stating, for example, that 53.5 percent of households earning at least RM10,000 a month were bumiputera as compared to the Chinese at 38.2 percent, Indians 8.4 percent, and others at 0.48 percent.

The era of the economically backward bumiputera is now history. What hasn't changed is the mental framework of the Malay, thinking that he is still under the yoke of poverty, still requiring government support in virtually every aspect of human endeavour, like in businesses, licensing, homeownership and student scholarships.

This mental condition was formerly termed as the culture of poverty by a noted scientist, Oscar Lewis.

The Malays should be made aware of this not so commendable situation. As a first step marching forward, politicians should be barred from using the term 'economically backwards' to describe the Malays of today in their daily communications with the public. Just a thought.

IndigoTrout2522: Mahathir criticised Umno for not doing enough for economically-backwards Malays when he formed Bersatu. Now, he said the same thing about Bersatu to justify his rationale for Pejuang.

Again, he used racial divide for his justification but it sounded hollow because he was PM for 24 of those years, not counting him being in the cabinet for even longer.

Why is he still saying that bumiputeras are economically disadvantaged? This means he failed as PM to improve the livelihood of bumiputeras.

The statistical numbers here clearly show that it is not just the Malays, but all races have to struggle to make a living. In fact, it shows that some bumiputeras are now even ahead.

It is time for the government to review its direction to move away from race-based policies. It will be good for the country’s economic development to be based on meritocracy and needs. All races have wealthy as well as economically-disadvantaged population.

Mahathir is still talking about race after 63 years of Merdeka. It is time for politicians like him to move on and let the youth, who subscribe to a multiracial society, to helm the leadership. Let the torch pass to a new generation of leaders.

Clever Voter: Recycling old theories is okay if these are relevant. In today's context, it is misleading and a misrepresentation.

Prejudice and stereotyping are known to be causes of discrimination and persecution. It is a dangerous precedence, and any responsible leader will not do this.

Billions spent in the past unaccountable in hundreds of scandals from dockyards, to steel and financial, all for the purpose of helping one race.

At 63, the country has succeeded to build millions of middle class, corporate leadership and government leaders among the Malay community.

Focusing on income alone is parochial, after all; there are thousands of Malays in civil service enjoying job security, pensions and access.

Urban poor today are increasing, 40 percent of the population are non-Malays. Many from Sarawak do not even have access to basic electricity; are they not Malaysians that deserve help too?

BusinessFirst: Can I ask whether we have the bumiputera breakdown. If Sabah and Sarawak bumiputeras are included, then it is a misleading picture.

I understand that 25% of Sabah bumiputeras are poor. It’s a lesser figure in Sarawak, but still much higher than the average.

If this is correct then the Malay Muslims in Malaya are actually doing very well, as well if not better than the Chinese. The only reason why they appear poorer is perhaps they have more children.

Ask anyone raising a child today. It costs a bomb. Imagine a family with one or two children versus one with four or five. Of course, the one with more children must work harder to make ends meet and save.

It does not mean they are poor. It is a lifestyle choice in my view, compensated with the joys of a big family.

Quigonbond: It’s just that people like Mahathir refuses to consider the value of the non-Malays - probably because he knows he cannot control/brainwash them.

But is that true for Malays? Can they be so easily controlled these days?

GE14 was a winning formula for a more progressive and inclusive Malaysia - and these are not dirty words – but Mahathir failed Malaysians.

BlackMamba2020: Mahathir, your legacy is already dead. You did this to yourself as you were selfish, arrogant and plain stupid. You could have turned everything around during the rule of Pakatan Harapan, but you just threw it away.

There is no way you can redeem as you do not have much time. A lot of people would have honoured you but not today, as you are now a disgrace to us all after your last stint.

YOURSAY | ‘Mahathir still sounds like a broken record’

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 500,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.