The Malaysian Insight

PUTRAJAYA is getting its priorities wrong if it continues to focus on contentious issues like Bumiputera privileges and the matriculation quota, said Bersatu supreme council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan.

He said the matter of Bumiputera privileges does not affect all Malaysians at present, but perhaps will in a few years to come.

“When we are in the opposition, we can talk about anything under the sun. But when we are in the government, we have to set our priorities straight.

“When we work on issues that are not a priority today, then we have our priorities wrong.

“Although, we quite like the idea of debating whether to continue Bumiputera privileges, the vast majority are not talking about that. It is not a priority at the moment. And no one should prioritise it.

“If we approach a contentious issue in an irrational and emotional way, without properly preparing the public for the debate, you will get the responses you get today,” he told the BFM Breakfast Grille show this morning.

He was responding to a question on the policy as a member of the Bumiputera-based government party Bersatu.

Bumiputera privileges became the subject of a public debate following Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik’s announcement on the 90% Bumiputera quota in the matriculation programme.

The statement sparked protests that led to yet another online petition calling on Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to replace the minister.

To encourage healthy competition, said Wan Saiful, there must be a level playing field for all races in all areas, including education.

However, he said, hard choices must be made to allow for a level playing field for all Malaysians.

“If the playing field is not level, it needs to be corrected with the ultimate aim in mind (to assist the underprivileged)... Hard choices have to be made, and if we don’t (make these choices), we are not tackling the problem.

“But I always say to colleagues in the government, if we tackle the things people are not talking about, we will never be able to make anyone happy.” – May 28, 2019.