JOHOR BARU, Aug 1 — Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan today reminded Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua not to “play with fire” by proposing the scrapping of discounts for Bumiputera for the purchase of commercial and luxury properties in Selangor.
He said the current percentage of shophouses and business premises owned by Bumiputeras in the urban areas was very low, at only 14 per cent, and that the scrapping of the discounts would only make things worse.
“So, I’m asking YB Tony Pua not to play with fire,” he said, “Don’t even light a match.”
Ahmad said the DAP leader had clearly made the suggestion with total disregard of the sensitivity of the Malays and Bumiputeras in the country who made up about two-thirds of the country’s population.
He told reporters here that he also believed that the statement was a part of DAP’s long lists of attempts to question the Malay and Bumiputera privileges in the country.
Hence, he said DAP and Tony Pua should try to understand the Federal Constitution especially the articles related to the Malay and Bumiputera privileges, social contract and the country’s history.
“Tony Pua’s statement was merely based on business and profit sentiments,” he said.
Ahmad also called on Malays and Bumiputeras to give top priority to education in order to progress and compete with others.
Earlier, Ahmad who is deputy minister in the prime minister’s department attended the Institut Sains dan Teknologi Darul Takzim’s convocation at the Persada Johor Convention centre here.
A total of 250 students received their respective diplomas and certificates, with Siti Norazah Shafiee, who graduated with a Diploma in Nursing, named as the recipient of the Executive Chairman Award. — Bernama