Mat Sabu Speaks Unpalatable Truth But Will Malays Be Able To Compete On Level Playing Field

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AMANAH president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu a.k.a. Mat Sabu has hit a raw nerve when he told the Malays to get away from racial politics and instead focus on competing with other ethnic communities in business and entrepreneurship.
It was brave of him to speak on a touchy/thorny subject that most politicians from the dominant race would shy away from – mostly for political expediency.
But that is the unpalatable truth that cannot be ignored forever. Most of the time, the Malays would react harshly whenever issues that pertain to their special status are raised.
Mohamad observed correctly that so long as the Malays play up “sentiment and racial issues”, it would only weaken their competitiveness with the other ethnic groups.
Perhaps, many Amanah members in the hall would have disagreed with his outspoken speech delivered during the Amanah National Convention in Shah Alam on Nov 9.
But the Agriculture and Food Security Minister did not mince his words when he delved into this largely forbidden territory.
Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu a.k.a. Mat SabuContrast with PAS
He told the delegates that “people often speak harshly about other communities but that doesn’t solve anything”.
“Those who hold a blue identity card are Malaysians – they’re our fellow citizens too.”
This kernel of truth is seldom acknowledged by extremists and the ultra-right who constantly questioned their fellow citizens’ loyalty to the country.
Despite holding a blue identity card, these fellow Malaysian citizens are made to feel that they do not belong to their native country.
Mohamad was right on target when he also pointed out that Bumiputera must view competition with other communities as “an opportunity to strengthen their capabilities rather than as a source of hostility”.
His stand is in sharp contrast with that of PAS (Amanah is a PAS splinter party) which warned Malays that non-Malays are increasingly dominating the economic sector.
Amanah is a PAS splinter party (Image credit: FMT)The Islamist party sees the success of the non-Malays in the business field as posing a grave threat to the interests of the Malays.
‘Don’t take gov’t aid for granted’
Mohamad’s most pointed message is that the Malays must compete with the other ethnic groups in a “healthy way” to stay resilient and competitive.
When PAS says that most businesses like shopping malls are controlled by others – meaning the Chinese – it is simply because the latter worked hard to climb the ladder to the top. They even compete with each other without depending on government aid.
It is this over-reliance on government aid that Mohamad is highly critical of because he warned the Malays that such a mindset and work ethics have eroded their competitive spirit and self-reliance.
The Kota Raja MP cited an example where government programmes meant to help Bumiputera community ended up in failure due to mismanagement.
One such programme is the provision of grants and subsidies to help the community operate fish farms but, after two years, the farms turned into frog ponds due to poor management.
Mohamad’s stringent criticism was picked up by Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan who berated those people – presumably the Malays – for their tendency of blaming the Chinese for everything, even “falling from a motorcycle”.

The ‘rowdy’ Amanah elections director told Parliament that after nearly 68 years of independence, Malaysia’s “political culture” is still “being driven by blame and racial hatred”.
Mat Sabu’s tall order
All these timely warnings and reminders would have been more impactful if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim himself had sounded the alarm.
But it appears that political will is lacking. PMX is apparently walking a tight rope: he cannot admonish the Malays to buck up and stand on their own for fear of a backlash nor can he antagonise the substantial proportion of the non-Malay population whose crucial support he needs to stay in power.
In fact, the Madani government has under Budget 2026 allocated RM6 bil to strengthen the Bumiputera economic agenda.
This is a huge sum and a major boost for Bumiputera education and entrepreneurship, hence the money should be spent prudently.
Nevertheless, Mohamad’s message must be treated seriously because in the business world, it is all about competition.

If the Malays cannot stand the heat generated by intense competition, then they would risk closing shop. And they have no one to blame except themselves.
It would be a sheer waste of money if it ends up sinking into a frog pond.
Will the Malays pick up the gauntlet thrown by Mohamad to stand on their own feet and compete toe-to-toe in a healthy way with Malaysians who hold blue identity cards?
More often than not, life will go on as usual as racial politics continues to roil the country.
Nevertheless, the spirit of competition will be kept alive by hardworking Malaysians who want to see country prosper and the fruits of labour shared by all. 
Phlip Rodrigues is a retired journalist.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
-  Focus Malaysia.

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