KUALA SELANGOR - The government has been urged to focus on the issue of poverty among the Malays instead of organising Malaysia Madani Open Houses in six states.
Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government should not feel good about holding open house ceremonies while the problems of the Malays continue to be marginalised.
"We find that the government doesn't seem to see the Malays' problems, they are having fun, holding open houses even though they say that there won't be any big events," he said.
He said so while speaking at the Jeram State Assembly Aidilfitri event in Bandar Puncak Alam on Monday.
Dr Mahathir said that when he was Prime Minister, Aidilfitri open house was only held once.
"Why six? Because he wants the people to support him for feeding them," he explained.
He explained that most Malays in urban areas are still burdened with poverty.
He added that the Malays should be as rich as other races after the country achieved independence over 60 years ago.
"But the fact is that the Malays are so poor that sometimes, their land that is as big as a monkey's crotch would be sold.
"When we sell land, we lose our source of income and do not have property, so we become poorer," he explained.