Najib unveils Bumiputera Economic Transformation Roadmap 2.0 (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak today launched the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Roadmap (BETR) 2.0 of the Bumiputera Wellbeing Transformation which would serve as a new look for the empowerment of Bumiputera Agenda.
He said the initiative would be more inclusive and holistic in nature as the previous Bumiputera Agenda had only focused on the economy.
"Meaning, in protecting and empowering the Bumiputera Agenda, it (the initiative) is not limited to certain areas such as the economy alone. In fact, the Bumiputera Wellbeing Transformation covers way more important beyond that as it includes every aspect of wellbeing such as education, health, social and culture.
"(It's) set in a comfortable and dynamic environment, and at the same time, championing the plight of the people and elevate the status of the Bumiputeras to a higher level," he said at the launching ceremony here.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) chief executive officer Datuk Husni Salleh.
Najib said the initiative would create Bumiputera entrepreneurs who would be more focused, progressive, creative, innovative and ready to compete globally.
The prime minister also said the TKB, set to take the Bumiputera Agenda to second phase, would be based on Five Key Thrusts of Bumiputera Transformation which included efforts to empower human capital, competitiveness, social mobility and well-being in a holistic manner.
Najib said the achievement of the Bumiputera economy would also be measured in terms of corporate and household revenue; the increased number of registered professionals; and the involvement in management level and highly-skilled sectors, via the TKB.
"Meaning, if the New Economic Policy (NEP) had been looking at Bumiputera equity in the corporate sector as a benchmark, this TKB puts in to account a wider dimension in measuring the well-being of the Bumiputeras," he said.
Najib cited an example in which the endless efforts by the government all these while bore fruit, with the monthly household income for Bumiputeras having increased from RM3,624 in 2009 to RM5,548 in 2014.
"TKB is not just a national agenda but also as the foundation to policies, main plans and actions for every initiative implemented by the government that involves the economic empowerment of the Bumiputera," he said.
Meanwhile, Najib said the initiative and struggle on the interest of the Bumiputeras must continue to be the main agenda to the government as according to the latest statistics , the Bumiputeras comprised 68.8% of the 31.7 million l population in Malaysia.
The figure was projected to reach 69.1% in three years' time and would achieve 70.7% by 2030, he said.
In addition, Najib said the provision to protect the interests of the Bumiputeras was clearly stated in the Federal Constitution, and it was now highly appropriate for the government to fight for that.
"However, the government always have to remember that fighting for the Bumiputera Agenda doesn't mean that we simply take the rights of others.
"Instead, it has to go hand in hand, the government must take care of the legitimate interests of other races in the country," he said. — Bernama