KUALA LUMPUR, February 9, 2025 – In an exclusive interview with Utusan Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad expressed his concerns about the economic position of the Malay community, which continues to lag behind that of the Chinese. He asserted that although the New Economic Policy has opened up opportunities, the gap in progress between the Malays and the Chinese remains significant.
Dr. Mahathir also disclosed his political strategy in collaborating with the DAP to oust former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. “In the past, the DAP relied on me; now, the DAP is bigger than UMNO,” he remarked, emphasizing that the cooperation was not based on shared ideology but was a strategic move aimed at transforming the nation’s political landscape.
He further highlighted that the weakness in the economic culture among Malays – often seen as less efficient in managing business and finances – is a major factor behind their continued underperformance. Dr. Mahathir called for an enhancement of financial education and reforms in the education system to ensure that the younger generation learns how to manage finances from an early age, similar to practices in Japan.