Lazy Malay A Myth Of Colonial Past, Says Najib.
A claim that the Malays are lazy is a myth of the colonial past as a lot of Malays have made their mark in various fields while some have gained world recognition for their achievements, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak."The Malays have proven that since Independence, they have succeeded in various strategic fields," the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters after opening the third Malay International Civilisation Conference here Friday.
The two-day conference with the theme "Human Capital Underpins Exemplary Race" organised by the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris' Malay Civilisation Institute is being attended by some 300 participants.
Najib said that as the Malays were dominating the leadership and holding key posts, the connotation was baseless and a stale issue which should not be debated any more. "(The issue) was propagated during colonial rule as an excuse for the British to practise discriminatory policies to sideline the Malays from the mainstream of development," he said.
In his speech, Najib brushed aside the stigma which identified the Malays as a lazy race, describing it as merely a myth devoid of a strong foundation.
Instead, he said the Malays ought to be on their feet and improve themselves to face the next economic wave which would be more challenging.
"The new economy calls for the cultivation of a new mindset and the Glocal Malay concept - Malays who are rooted nationally but international in mindset - in facing the challenges," he said.
"We have to be superb in the urban as well as the rural areas and we also have a role to play in the world. We want Glocal Malays pivoted on the virtuous Malay culture and rooted in the sanctity of Islam.
"Malay excellence does not emerge from a dream but is the culmination of hard work and determination with clear objectives and principles.
"The demand for change and the global outlook which are becoming more demanding require us to enhance our competitiveness by boosting our human capital," he added. (Bernama)
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Labels: Malays - General
posted by The Malaysian. at 2/02/2007 08:46:00 PM
2 Comments:
Coming from him it is to be expected. What else is he supposed to say anyway ?
Mahathir is more eloquent and honest here lah.
The great man Syed Hussein Al-Alatas is dead and Najib, ever the politician and opportunist, spies an opportunity to capitalize on his fame. Al-Alatas, the giant of an intellect, is best remembered for his magnum opus "The Myth of the Lazy Native". By giving his take on "The Myth of the Lazy Native", just after Al-Alatas passing away, Najib is alluding that he has read and is knowledgeable about the great man's works. In short Najib will have us know that he is an intellect and thinker.
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