KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 — Malays have already become destitute under Umno as many are struggling to make ends meet, Perkasa’s Datuk Ibrahim Ali told Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today.
In a press conference at the group’s headquarters, the Malay rights group chief said it was wrong for Najib to suggest that Malays will become destitute without Umno.
“Malays have already become destitute. They struggle to get businesses, some live in low-cost housing areas, you do not see them in neighbourhoods at TTDI (Taman Tun Dr Ismail) or Damansara,” he said.
Najib was reported in Bernama last weekend as saying that the Malays will become destitute if Umno loses power.
In the report, the prime minister added that he picked the word because no other words could depict the situation of the Malays who would face hardship if Umno lost its power.
Najib said this during the delegates meetings of the Padang Besar, Kangar and Arau Umno divisions recently.
His leadership and administration have been under intense scrutiny of late due to backlash over Putrajaya’s handling of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) controversy, and a recent shake-up of the federal Cabinet that saw dissenters removed from office.
