Dr. Mahathir wrote:
“Lihat Melayu negara jiran.
Melayu lagikah negara mereka?”
Translation:
“Look at the Malays of the neighbouring country.
Is their country still Malay?”
That particular line would stir emotions of malays from all regional nations, Malaysia included. M's intent, no doubt, is to make Malaysia malays feel they are in a better position in Malaysia than anywhere else. And at the same time make malays of other nations feel like they are second-grade citizens.
What impact was he seeking, though? To rile up malays of other countries and stir racial enmity there or to garner malays' support for his 'Warrior' party in Malaysia?
Regardless of the impact he sought, the sentiment is there. M still hate other nations in the region doing better than Malaysia, especially the one(s) where malay exists. Because no matter how Malaysia boost special rights to malays (or how systemically racist they are), they can't do better than that 'neighbouring country'.
Because he still thinks a pro-malay Malaysia would be superior than a non-malay country. For whatever reasoning he came to that conclusion is unknown. But contrary to his belief, Malaysia is not as successful as certain neighbouring nation(s). It's safe to say M is salty that he can't reverse the disparity in economical success in the region to tilt in Malaysia's favour.
He is a sore loser, and as a politician, he is not willing to take drastic measures to make Malaysia more successful than others. In fear of losing the malay vote. Which is fully understandable.
Then my next question would be what malays, in Malaysia or not, think of M's sentiments? Singapore's malays wouldn't and shouldn't feel bad about themselves. Because Singapore is multiracial and multicultural and malays have the smarts, means, and opportunities to be successful here. Even without special racial rights, they do just as well as other races here.
Furthermore, not all Malaysia malays would agree with M as well, especially those who believe in their own capabilities and potentials. They don't need M to tell them how to get better in life.
At the end of the day, he said what he said because he is jealous of the achievements of other nations and the achievements of malays outside of Malaysia.