SHAH ALAM, 15 SEPT: The New Economic Police under the governance of Umno-Barisan Nasional has failed to uplift the economic status of Bumiputeras, despite rhetoric and provisions of billions of ringgit to strengthen Bumiputera development.
Seri Setia Assemblyman, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that Umno often uses the terms Malay, Bumiputera and development hand in hand, however the fact the the economic status of the majority still remains weak under Umno-Bn cannot be denied. What is also disappointing is the condition of Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak who remain desolate compared to Bumiputeras in Peninsular Malaysia.
“Umno-Bn must explain to all Malaysian why despite the NEP being implemented for a long time and billions of ringgit have been spent, the social mobility of Bumiputeras remain fragile and need continued support from the Government,” he said in a media statement.
He said this in response to a statement by the Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin regarding the Bumiputera Economic Empowerment Agenda which was announced by the Prime Minster, Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday at the Mara University of Technology (UiTM).
Muhyiddin said that the agenda is a strengthening of Umno’s commitment in the economic development of Bumiputeras, and Umno will not apologise to the non-Bumiputera community in fighting for this goal.
Nik Nazmi however said that Umno should first answer why Umno, after 42 years of managing the NEP, Bumiputeras still do not have the economic power to stand on their own feet.
“Social mobility is only meaningful in the long run if this phenomenon can be self-sustaining. Thus, social mobility should be passed on to future generations without continues assistance,” he said.
He added that Umno should explains leakages of RM54 billion in shares allocated for Bumiputeras in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, as reported by Bernama on 30 June 2010.
“Three years ago, Najib admitted that out of the RM54 billion worth of shares allocated for Bumiputeras, only RM2 billion remained in the hands of the community. Where did all the other shares go to?” he asked.
Nik Nazmi also urged Umno to provide reasons why the socio-economic gap within the Bumiputera community is widening, despite the trust given to the party.
“There are many weaknesses in the Bumiputera community, including the fact that the average income of the Malaysian Chinese community is higher that of the Bumiputera community at a ratio of 1:1.43 and effective control of co-operations is just 10 percent,” he said.
The fact is, stressed Nik Nazmi, Umno is responsible for the continuous weakness of the Bumiputera community.
“How long should interests solutions and the actual problems of the non-Bumiputera community should postponed or ignored while the Government plays the Bumiputera community sentiment, sacrificing race relations?
He said, Najib’s latest initiative does not provide confidence that the key issue faced by the Bumiputera community now can be addressed.
In fact, he said, the measures announced are more to ensure the political survival of certain individuals, rather than a real concern to uplift the dignity of Bumiputeras.
“Everyone become victims of the failure of the Umno-BN Government policies which are more concerned with rhetoric rather than substantive matters. The government’s approach is to only spend money for all problems with hopes that the problem will be solved,” he added.
