KUALA LUMPUR, July 8- Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed believes that those who are less fortunate should be given the opportunity or merit to improve their lives.
He said that the system of meritocracy practiced currently gave more opportunities to those who were more fortunate to be richer while those who were less fortunate could not improve themselves or remained poor.
“I have little faith in meritocracy where all opportunities must be given to only those who are noted for their efficiency. If we practice meritocracy, then those who are not getting the same merit, they will totally not get any opportunity.
“We will see that the rich will get richer and the poor will be poorer. I believe that those with less merit should also be given an opportunity,” he told reporters after the launching of the autobiography ‘Mata-mata Kini Pertama’, here today.
Citing the example of awarding scholarships to students, Dr Mahathir said for those family who could afford, they could achieve excellent results because they could afford to pay tuition fees and so on, on the other hand, those with less capability, would not be able to afford such facilities.
In addition, he said the giving of APs (approved permits) to certain groups based on merit should also be studied so that they would not abuse the opportunity given to them.
“If the opportunity is given to those who are not interested at all, this opportunity will be abused but on the other hand, if it is given to those with the capability, they would become more progressive. What is wrong in giving so that others too will get the opportunity,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir also took pride in the achievements of several bumiputera businessmen including former police constable Datuk Abdul Rahman Ibrahim who is now the executive chairman of Kumpulan Rahman Brothers Sdn Bhd.
The book ‘Mata-mata kini Permata’ describes the life story of Abdul Rahman, who previously served as a policeman in the Special Branch in Rompin, Pahang who has now become a full-time businessman by setting up Syarikat Baiduri in 1976 before changing the name to Syarikat Rahman Brothers Motor in 1980.
The book, ‘Mata-mata kini Permata’ is available at the headquarters of Kumpulan Rahman Brothers Sdn Bhd at a price of RM40.
– BERNAMA
