Tun M creates controversial topics to attract people's attention

SHAH ALAM - Majlis Perundingan Melayu (MPM) secretary-general Professor Datuk Dr Hasan Mad has described Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as an attention seeker for creating controversial topics.

Hasan was responding to Tun Mahathir's recent claim where he said the Malays have become poor after he was no longer the Prime Minister.

According to Tun Mahathir, he was trying to elevate the stature of Malays when he became Prime Minister after the 14th General Election (GE14) but the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government collapsed and he lost his position.

Hasan said Tun Mahathir was giving controversial statements as a lifeline to make sure he is viewed as still active in the nation's political scene of the country.

"Mahathir is no longer relevant so he raises controversial topics that, in his opinion, can get attention from many though his statement is not supported by facts and figures as evidence.

"So in my opinion, whatever his statement or action is, we should not take it into account seriously," he told Sinar

Meanwhile Hasan stressed that the Malays have been linked to the issue of poverty for a long time and not because Tun Mahathir is no longer leading the country.

In fact, Hasan claimed poverty issue continues to plague the Malays which stemmed from Tun Mahathir himself who ended the implementation of the New Economic Policy (NEP).

"The implementation of NEP was actually good in terms of eradication of poverty especially for the Malays people also from the aspect of eliminating the income gap with other races, and increase equity and job opportunities

"However Mahathir was the one who terminated NEP as it was not set to be implemented for a period of 20 years when it was enacted in the 1970. So why is he making noise now?" he questioned.