Dr M: Chinese are rich and Indians are lawyers

Disagreeing with US President Barack Obama, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the Chinese and Indians are wealthy and successful in Malaysia.

"In Malaysia, despite our policies, Do you see the Chinese poor? The Indians are professionals, they are lawyers and doctors," he told reporters.

"Those who didn't come to Malaysia are not so fortunate," he added.

Mahathir also said that he agreed with American economist Joseph Stiglitz that there is huge inequality in the US.

Obama had ruffled the feathers of certain quarters, when he said that Malaysia would not succeed if non-Muslims are not given equal opportunities.

"I would like you to read Joseph Stiglitz’s book ('The Price to Pay for Inequality').

"He points out that there is no equality in the US at all. One percent owns all the wealth and the rest are poor. That is why there is a group calling themselves the '99' who wants to occupy Wall Street," Mahathir said.

He reiterated that Stiglitz spoke more truth than Obama, who was the first American president to visit Malaysia in nearly 50 years.

Zahid praised, Najib mocked over Obama's views

Barack Obama's remark that Malaysia will not succeed if non-Muslims are not given equal opportunities as Muslims has ruffled many feathers, including that of a veteran journalist who is a close associate of Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Comparing Malaysia to Myanmar, Obama (right) had also said that there are times when non-Muslims find themselves being disadvantaged or experiencing hostility.

Seeing red over these remarks, A Kadir Jasin criticised the US president for "interference and provocation" with regard to Malaysia's domestic affairs.

In a blog posting, the former New Straits Times Group editor-in-chief praised Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for rebutting Obama but took a potshot at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"Syabas Zahid (left). It was not a waste that the Umno delegates elected you as the most popular vice-president in the last party polls.

"Thank god, there are still some in Umno who have not been infected with the 'sindrom koro' (utter weakness)," he said.

The veteran editor also asked who is marginalised and prosecuted in Malaysia?

And in reference to the Christians, he added, "Who opened the Pandora's box in demanding that they too be allowed to use the term Allah?"

Stressing on the existence of religious freedom in Malaysia, Kadir said: "So what is the story with the scores of churches in Brickfields, Jalan Gasing and Sentul?"

"What is the deal with Hindu temples all over the place, at junctions, under trees and in caves?

"What is the story with the Buddhist temples, Gudhwaras and Chinese temples everywhere? And who controls the economy?" he added.

Taking a swipe at Najib, who rode in Obama's official car, Kadir asked if the Malays and Muslims would remain quiet over this provocation "just because someone was very happy to ride in the car with him (Obama) or because the latter whispered praises in this person's ear."

Kadir, whose views are often critical of the prime minister, has been accused of working with certain elements in Umno who are engineering the ouster of Najib, a charge which he has denied.



Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/261341

Obama: Discrimination a hurdle for M'sia's success

Malaysia will not be a successful country if its non-Muslim population are discriminated against, says US President Barrack Obama.

"This is a Muslim-majority. There are times where those are non-Muslims find themselves, perhaps being disadvantaged or experiencing hostility...

"No country is going to succeed if part of its population is put on the sidelines because its population are discriminated against.

"Malaysia won’t succeed if non-Muslims don’t have opportunity,” he said during the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Town Hall at Universiti Malaya today.

He said this when responding to a question from a Myanmar participant asking for Obama’s advice on how should young leaders deal with the diversity within the Asean region.

Obama’s response included conflicts in many countries, including Malaysia, Myanmar, the US, and others, as examples.

"If you look at the biggest source of conflict and war and hardship around the world, one of the most - if not the most - important reasons is people treating those who are not like them differently," he said, whether those differences are of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

The US president also expressed concern for Myanmar’s democratisation efforts, as groups start to form political groups on basis of race or religion rather than principles such as justice and democracy.

'Speak out against discrimination'

He told the audience of about 600 youth leaders from across the Asean region that although people should be proud of their identities, this should not be used as a tool to look down and discriminate on others.

“You have to make sure that you are speaking out against that in your daily life and as you emerge as leaders, you should be on the side of politics that bring people together rather than drive people apart.

“That is the most important thing for this generation,” he urged the participants.

During the meeting of about 90 minutes, Obama gave a speech on the importance of the Asean region on the global arena, before taking questions from the youths.

These questions included advise for countries like Malaysia trying to become a developed nation, on Obama’s first community projects, what was he dreaming to become when he was 20 years old, whether he had any regrets, and “What does happiness mean to you?”

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/261192