“This was the start of our experience in the process known as corruption,” said Musa, who served as deputy prime minister in the early to mid-1980s.
At a forum on corruption in Malay politics organised by Sinar Harian, he said the Malay people used to simply want to live according to religious teachings in the early days of independence.
“The concept was simple, be a good Malay who prays and follows norms that don’t burden the society. After we gained independence, the Malays were left behind and those in positions of power realised that. So, we introduced the NEP.”
As a result, he said the Malay people went from being “spiritual beings” to “what is known as materialism”.
Musa also said he had met up with some old friends a few weeks ago who had wanted to discuss the country’s current political situation.
He said they started lamenting to him about the state of the nation and how corruption and abuse of power were widespread.
“After listening to them, I said, ‘So? (Do) you mean to say that you do not know (that) I (already) know?'”
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