Don't play with 'bumi fire', Umno warns Pua

JOHOR BARU: An Umno leader has slammed DAP's Tony Pua for questioning the discounts given to Bumiputeras in terms of property ownership, and warned him “not to play with fire”.

Ahmad Maslan, Umno's information chief, also believes that the latest episode was part of DAP' long list of issues to challenge the special position of the Malays and Bumiputera.

Pua had recently suggested that discounts be abolished for commercial and luxurious properties in Selangor.

However, Ahmad Maslan said the percentage of shop-houses and business premises owned by the Malays in townships was still low, only 14%.

Abolishing the discounts, he added, would only worsen the situation.

“I call on Pua not to play with fire, don't strike a match with this suggestion. Pua should think before he speaks,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Ahmad Maslan said the Petaling Jaya Utara MP made the suggestion without considering the sensitivities of the Malays and Bumiputera.

'DAP's racist policy'

Although making up 67% of the population, the deputy minister said the imbalance was also apparent in the ownership of houses, because only a 30% quota was allocated for them in housing estates.

“(This imbalance) is not healthy for the future of the country if residential areas have more than 70% non-Bumiputeras while the Malays live in small houses in the outskirts of town,” he added.

In view of this, he said, the Bumiputera discount policy provided a small advantage for them to own houses and business premises.

Ahmad Maslan said DAP and Pua should understand the federal constitution, especially the part which touched on the special privileges of the Malays and Bumiputeras and the social contract.

“Pua's statement which is based on the sentiments of profit and DAP's racist policy has angered the Malays. We want all Malaysians to live in peace,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Umno leader also called on the Malays and Bumiputeras to give prominence to education in order to progress and ensure that they would be able to compete with the other races.