KUALA LUMPUR: Puteri Umno chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin has branded Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's criticism on university graduates selling nasi lemak and becoming Uber and Grabcar drivers as "a big mistake".
She said such comments showed the former prime minister's insensitivity towards the needs of the current generation.
"Even accountants and those in the corporate sector these days choose to sell nasi lemak and become Grabcar drivers to earn extra income. There is nothing wrong with that," she said, after the launching of the Puteri Barisan Nasional Friends Network, called Azalea 2018 at the Panggung Anniversari here.
She said these were opportunities for people from all walks of life to generate income for themselves to improve their quality of life.
Dr Mahathir had on Thursday remarked that graduates earning a living as nasi lemak sellers and ride-sharing drivers was a sign that the country does not have enough high income jobs, questioning their pride in being graduates.
He also said that the country did not build universities to train the youth to take up such professions.
"If this is what he thinks, then he has made a big mistake. People can see for themselves that he is insensitive to the needs of the current times and the economic climate." said Mas Ermieyati.
keywords: Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister, Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, university graduates