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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 38, Number 17. July 16, 1973
Sunday Mail (London) 2-2-75 — Mahathir: Why we cannot tax the rich too much
Sunday Mail (London) 2-2-75
Mahathir: Why we cannot tax the rich too much.
The government cannot tax the rich too much in order to continue helping the poor, Education Minister Dr Mahathir said.
"If we do so, the rich will not try to make more money. On the other hand, the poor cannot depend too much on the government for help. The government must be moderate and fair to all."
In reference to the recent controversy over Baling, Dr Mahathir said it was wrong to say that anyone had died of starvation in Malaysia because God had blessed the country with fertile land and abundant rain.
"To say that we will die from starvation is to be ungrateful to God," he said.
(Note:
| 1. | The Minister's comments on Baling reflects the government attempts in providing misinformation about rural poverty and starvation in Malaysia—something that undeniably exists and is quite well documented e.g., article on Emerging Rural Revolution in Far Eastern Economic Review (10/1/75), report by a delegation from P.K.P.I.M. on 23/11/74. |
| 2. | Yes, the country has abundant 'fertile land and rain', but foreign corporate owners possess 1,262.8 million acres or 73.5% of total! One of such foreign companies, Harrison and Crossfield in 1970 owned 230,000 acres i.e. three and half times size of Penang Island. |
| 3. | Providing a climate for the rich (especially foreign investors) 'to try to make more money' and neglecting the poor is 'moderate and fair to all'.) |