Ku Nan questions Bumiputra's lack of achievement in Malaysia's economy (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor took bumiputra entrepreneurs to task, saying they were a spoonfed lot.
He said bumiputra entrepreneurs lacked self-resilience and many of them failed in their ventures because they lacked the competitive spirit
"I don't know, maybe it is our fault. Maybe we have been spoonfeeding all of you.
"What I am saying now comes from my heart. Whether you like it or not, it is up to you. I like to speak from my heart because I am saddened to see my own race being in this situation," he said in his speech at the Federal Territories Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Programme certificate presentation ceremony here yesterday.
Tengku Adnan also lamented the negative attitude of bumiputra entrepreneurs who took the government's assistance lightly and were not serious in improving their economic situation.
"Some of them think that it is okay to suffer losses as they receive money from the government.
"Some even borrowed from banks but refused to pay. They asked for loans, but the money was not used to start their own business," he said.
Tengku Adnan said the government had tried to assist them through various means, even by giving them land to develop, but such efforts proved unsuccessful.
"There is a lot of land in Kuala Lumpur which can be developed by the bumiputras. We gave these lands to them but they did not develop it. They were given free lands ... (but) wait for the value to increase and then sell it.
"When we give it to the Chinese, people will get angry, but the Malays do not perform. The land is worthless if you don't develop it," he added.
Commenting on halal and non-halal food businesses operating in the same area, he said it was not an issue as there needs to be variety in the food offered to customers.
He said many Malay-owned stalls operating in food courts run by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) were unable to succeed as they only catered to the needs of specific customers.
"To me, if our stalls want to sell non-halal (food), we can have a non-halal section. It doesn't matter... We need to change.
"I have instructed DBKL to emphasise on variety in food courts, not only catering to Malays but the other races as well.
"If no food of other races is sold, they will not come into the Malay business areas," he added.