Mahathir: Chinese are rich, Indians are lawyers?

I wonder why Tun Mahathir is so defensive on Obama's comment. In any country, all citizens should have equal opportunities, free from discriminations.

In Malaysia, it should be the same. Assistance should be given to groups that requires help, regardless of race. If the majority that forms that group happens to be Malays, help should be given. But other groups, from other races, should not be excluded by virtue of their race or religion.

Again, politicians tend to have a skewed and biased view on the role of government. They tend to meddle with society to fit their political agendas.

It is true that non-Malays have the opportunity to become rich or become professionals in various fields. But it is also true that those who managed to achieved success did so in spite of the various hurdles and glass-ceilings faced by non-Malays. So, it is not accurate to paint the government as altruistic. Anyway, this is not the point of this post.

I'm glad Tun Mahathir recommended Joseph Stiglitz's book on inequality. I think the main point made by Joseph Stiglitz is the class inequality, not race.

However, I find that it applies to Malaysia as well. Actually, I believe that class inequality is the underlying problem we are facing today in Malaysia. Regardless of race or religion, there is a growing inequality in the distribution of the country's wealth.

If we look at each community, we will find that the gap between the rich and poor is astounding.

Yes. It applies to the Malays as well. There's actually a large group of very wealthy Malays, mostly the nouveau riche. If we were to take the official statistics that states that the Malays make up the poorest in Malaysia, then it would logically make the income disparity between the rich & poor among the Malays the highest among communities.

So, if we want to racialise issues, it works both ways! Take that!

Anyway, according to Tun Mahathir, there is a wide disparity between the richest 1% and the rest in the USA. This has created an imbalance of wealth among the population. Well, just so you know, the same is happening in Malaysia. The top 1% in Malaysia comprises of all races.

The questions we should be asking the government is:
Are the 1% helping to improve economy of the country?
Are the 1% investing their wealth in industries that would drive the economy?
Are the 1% creating desirable jobs for the people?

And most importantly, which percentage group does Tun Mahathir and the rest of our esteemed leaders belong to?

I think most of us have the answer already.

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Mahathir disagrees with Obama’s inequality remark

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad disagrees with US President Barack Obama over his remark that Malaysia will not succeed if non-muslims are not given equal opportunity.

After launching the ‘UN Chronicle’ book here today, Mahathir said that there is no equality in America as only one percent of the US population holds all the wealth.

“The one percent, controls the wealth in America and the rest are poor. That is the why there is a group in the US who call themselves ’99′ who want to occupy Wall Street.

“In Malaysia despite our policies, do you see the Chinese as the poorest people?

“Indians have become lawyers and doctors. You see, those who didn’t come to Malaysia are not so fortunate,” said Mahathir.

Mahathir recommended that people read ‘The price of inequality’ a book written by nobel laureate on economics, Joseph Stiglitz.

On Sunday when addressing a young leaders group at the University of Malaya, Obama had said that “Malaysia cannot flourish if the non-Muslims do not have the same opportunity”.

In his first official state visit, Obama said that “prejudices against people from different religions and races have no place in the modern world and must be removed”.

Obama also said that non-Muslims in Malaysia are currently facing hostility, and that some felt oppressed.

He added that countries, including Malaysia, will not succeed if women, who comprise roughly half of the population, are not given the same opportunities as men.

- http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2014/04/30/mahathir-disagrees-with-obamas-inequality-remark/