Treat inadequacy as challenge rather than hindrance — Manyin
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Many Bumiputeras shy away from tapping into entrepreneurship citing lack of experience and network.
But such inadequacy should be seen as a challenge rather than an obstacle if they want to succeed in the industry, said Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin.
“Doing business is not easy, let alone to succeed, and this is especially so for Bumiputeras because they lack the experience and networking.
“It is easy for the Chinese because they have sources of finance and network. They have uncles, aunties and other relatives, and they are all in business, they offer purchase on credit.
“But for us Bumiputeras, this is difficult. When we need to buy things, we need cash, no cash no goods,” he said when representing Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the launch of ExServicemen Affairs Corporation ( Perhebat) - Universiti Malaysia Sarawak ( Unimas) Satellite Campus at Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman ( DeTAR) Putra, Unimas Campus here yesterday.
Manyin thus called upon Bumiputeras to prepare for a change so as to excel in the busines sector.
He said servicemen, who retired at the age of 40, still had to have a stable income to support their school- going children.
As such, he said the state government would keep up with its programmes to reach out to this group who had sacrificed for the state and country.
He also reminded former servicemen the importance of embracing Industrial Revolution 4.0 where most jobs would be replaced by robots.
“Encourage your children to go for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ( STEM) related studies.
“I was told that many social sciences graduates are still unemployed. We do not want to see our graduates being unemployed.
They should pursue STEM for better job opportunities in the future,” he said.
Manyin also urged recipients of 1Malaysia People’s Aid ( BR1M) not to depend too much on such assistance to sustain their lifestyle.
“Think of BR1M as temporary and not something that will be there for the next 100 years,” he said, adding that they should improve their financial capability through their efforts.
Perhebat chairman Lt Gen ( R) Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Ibrahim and Unimas deputy vice chancellor ( student affairs and alumni) Prof Mohd Fadzil Abd Rahman were among those present at the function.