Showing posts with label MALAYSIA - THE COLORS OF MALAYSIA. Show all posts

8 December 2014

MAHATHIR SPEAKS OUT - Let’s have a ‘white’ PM next, says Dr Mahathir over new MAS boss

Let’s have a ‘white’ PM next, says Dr Mahathir over new MAS boss

The Malaysian Insider – 9 hours ago

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today proposed that a "white man" could be the next Malaysian prime minister following the surprise appointment of a German to take over the ailing Malaysia Airlines.

In his trademark sarcasm, the former prime minister said since Putrajaya had appointed Christoph Mueller as CEO-designate of the national carrier under its restructuring plan, perhaps the nation was ready to have a Caucasian as its PM.

"I am worried, if we do not believe in ourselves, one day when we need a prime minister, we can get a white man because he is 'smarter' than us," he was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.

"If people want to get angry (with my comments), so be it. That's my opinion."

Dr Mahathir had first taken a dig at Mueller's appointment last Saturday when he said that Purajaya had resorted to hiring the out going Aer Lingus chief because "Malaysians were stupid".

“Malaysians are stupid. They don't know how to manage aviation,” Dr Mahathir was reported as saying.

Commenting further on the issue, Dr Mahathir expressed worry of an increasing distrust towards local expertise in important positions.

According to a Bernama report, Malaysia had many talents which needed to be polished.

"We have many talents in this country. But if they want consultants, they call foreigners. Even directors are foreigners," he said.

Dr Mahathir said the country became prosperous after gaining independence because of the efforts of local leaders.

"I don't think Malaysians are stupid. During the British occupation, we were a backward country and poor. We became rich and developed after independence, led by Malaysians," he said.

Dr Mahathir is not the only one to criticise Mueller's appointment to MAS, which will be effective January 1.

Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said that although Mueller might be the "best expert" in the airline industry, he could have been appointed as a consultant instead of the CEO.

He said that local energy and expertise should be given priority in heading government-linked agencies or companies and also government subsidiaries as the trust given was a "national responsibility".

Malaysian Volunteer Lawyers Association (SukaGuam) chairman Datuk Khairul Anwar Rahmat said Putrajaya should have given locals a chance to helm MAS as it involved the dignity and security of the nation.

Elsewhere, former MAS managing director Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman said the appointment of a foreigner was a form of wastage as Malaysia had better local candidates for the job.

However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that Mueller's appointment was important in laying a strong foundation for the future success of MAS.

Mueller had headed Aer Lingus, the Irish national airline since 2009 and has more than 25 years of experience in the airline, logistics and tourism industries. – December 8, 2014.

Source: https://my.news.yahoo.com/let-white-pm-next-says-dr-mahathir-over-050535593.html

MAHATHIR SPEAKS OUT - MAS suffered losses because Malaysians stupid, says Dr M

MAS suffered losses because Malaysians stupid, says Dr M

The Malaysian Insider – Sat, Dec 6, 2014

Malaysia Airlines incurred losses because Malaysians do not know how to manage aviation, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

“Malaysians are stupid. They don't know how to manage aviation,” Dr Mahathir was quoted by news portal Malaysiakini as saying in comments over Christoph Mueller's appointment as chief executive officer-designate of Malaysia Airlines Bhd (MAS NewCo).

Those responsible for the losses of the ailing national carrier were now trying to make things right, he said.

MAS main shareholder Khazanah Nasional Berhad announced Mueller's appointment in a statement yesterday.

Mueller, who will be the first non-Malaysian chief executive of MAS, will also join the board as a non-executive director.

Celcom chief executive Datuk Seri Mohammed Shazalli Ramli will also join the MAS board as non-executive director. His and Mueller's appointments to the board will be effective January 1.

The appointments are part of the sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional's efforts to rescue and restructure the airline.

Dr Mahathir also commented on Datuk Seri Najib Razak issuing legal notices to opposition lawmakers Tony Pua and Rafizi Ramli, saying it was the prime minister’s right if he wanted to sue them.

He said, however, that he had not resorted to legal action against his critics during his 22 years of power tenure as prime minister.

“Back then I didn't go to court. I just answered (the critics).

“If I had done the right thing, what is there to be scared of? People will believe you,” he reportedly said.

Pointing out that it was normal for politicians to be criticised and slandered by people, Dr Mahathir said in his opinion there was no use going to court in such instances.

However, he added, such action might be useful to Najib.

Rafizi, the Pandan MP, received a letter of demand yesterday from a law firm representing Najib over his video defending petrol subsidies, while Pua, who is Petaling Jaya Utara MP, was issued the notice on November 21 over remarks against Najib about the state-owned 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). – December 6, 2014.

Source: https://my.news.yahoo.com/mas-suffered-losses-because-malaysians-stupid-says-dr-051803894.html