PUTRAJAYA: Fair and equitable involvement of all races in various sectors of the economy is most vital in creating shared prosperity in the spirit of the New Malaysia, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today.
As such, the new Bumiputera Agenda that he proposes should be drafted with the engagement of various parties such as Malay economic bodies, chambers of commerce of all races, industry players and corporate figures, he said.
In this regard, the views of economists, professional bodies, non-governmental organisations and the component parties of the ruling Pakatan Harapan, of which Bersatu is also a member, would also be taken into account, he said.
Addressing the Bersatu second annual general assembly here, he said: “When the new Bumiputera Agenda, which we can call the Shared Prosperity Plan, is implemented, we want it to have the support of all parties.
“Hence, before the Prime Minister and Bersatu chairman, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, I humbly request Tun to accept and support this proposal for implementation by the government.”
Besides Dr Mahathir and Muhyiddin, the Bersatu delegates assembled from around the country at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) included party deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Women’s Wing (Srikandi) chief Datuk Seri Rina Harun, Youth Wing (Armada) chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and party secretary-general Datuk Marzuki Yahya.
Muhyiddin also said that the key prerequisite of the plan is that it must create national prosperity that can be shared in a fair and equitable manner by all the people regardless of race, class and region.
“We want the Malays to move forward and all the other races to progress as well. We will never seize the rights of the other races for us to succeed,” said Muhyiddin, who is the Home Minister, at the assembly which entered its third and final day today.
He explained that it would be ensured that the implementation of the policy would certainly contribute to economic growth which can be enjoyed by every citizen.
Muhyiddin said the people could share nothing with retarded economic growth and they would have to scramble among themselves to pick from a small economy.
“If this policy inhibits economic growth, it is not the Bumiputera Agenda that we want. If the policy undermines the country’s competitiveness, it is not a Bumiputera Agenda. If the policy promotes corrupt practices, misappropriation and abuse of power, it is not a Bumiputera Agenda.
“In fact, if this policy restricts fair opportunities for the other races to progress and succeed, it is not a Bumiputera Agenda,” he said.
Referring to Dr Mahathir’s reminder for Malays and Bumiputeras to change their attitude to become successful, Muhyiddin said attitude change would be a key component of the proposed Bumiputera Agenda.
“We must apply the values of trust, diligence, discipline, courage, competence and all the noble values in the lives of the Malays. Only then can the Malays become a successful race,” he said.
Muhyiddin also reminded the Malays that they cannot depend forever on the assistance from the government and Malay political parties.
“A time will come when the Malays have to be self-reliant, be able to compete; that’s the real indication of our success,” he said. — Bernama
