PM concerned about huge influx of China entrepreneurs
PARTY IS OVER FOR PEOPLE WHO ‘SELL’ GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AWARDED TO THEM
TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the presence of the mainland Chinese, who are highly successful in business, will cause the Bumiputeras to lose their place.
KUALA LUMPUR: Contracts sold to other parties with the aim of reaping easy profits will be cancelled immediately.
In announcing this, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said many had refused to follow the example of those who held ownership of their approved permits (AP) and contracts.
“Do not sell off the opportunities (and) contracts given to you. We hope the new government will help us, but help will not be given to those who want quick gains.
“If someone is awarded a contract, that is what he will get. If you pass it or sell it to others, then the contract will be cancelled. If you are not able to execute it, do not try to get contracts, (especially) if it is only to be sold off later.
“The contract will then be invalid and cannot be executed,” Dr Mahathir said during a questionand-answer session at the Congress on the Future of Bumiputeras and the Nation 2018 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here yesterday.
The session was moderated by Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
Present were Dr Mahathir's wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali and PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Dr Mahathir said the desire for instant riches was also among the reasons why the New Economic Policy (NEP) had failed.
“NEP was created to ensure the economic success of the Malays. But the ones who have succeeded are not Malays. They use the opportunities before them — they get to buy the contracts and APs, set up businesses, generate wealth, expand their companies and become millionaires.
“In my 22 years (previously) as prime minister, I never announced good news. Instead, I had to lecture the Bumiputeras to improve their economy, but the effects are negligible. We may regard this as something normal.
“In this country, the cities do not belong to us (Bumiputeras). We are the rural folks, and it appears that we have accepted the sentiment that we do not belong in cities.
“In the cities, only businessmen can be rich. You can be officers and clerks, but you cannot be rich unless you steal.”