‘Race-based NEP approach still needed’

Affirmative action without considering race may be sufficient for improving the well-being of the B40 group, but such a approach is ineffective towards bridging the economic gap between the races, said the Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM).

It said the group which already had an economic advantage based on the economic system inherited from colonialism would be more successful with affirmative action that sidelines the race dimension and wealth remaining with the same group is not healthy in Malaysia.

The MTEM said the recent declaration by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the New Economic Policy (NEP) was no longer sustainable and should be replaced by policies that were need-based and free of the race dimension, was something that troubled it and the Bumiputera community.

“MTEM is aware of the weakness in implementing the NEP in the past, but it is wrong to undertake an affirmative action policy without considering the dimension of race as suggested by Anwar,” it said in a statement yesterday.

MTEM also highlighted that the failure of the Barisan Nasional in closing the economic gap between the races, although in power for half a century, calls for a review of the affirmative action policy to be implemented in the future.

It also said affirmative action in Malaysia needs to be evaluated from the dimension of race to ensure racial unity is sustained and the people need to understand the history of a certain policy before making any suggestions.

“As such, it is easier for us to reach agreement on any positive improvement towards the NEP which in the view of the MTEM is still relevant for the future,” it added.

According to the MTEM, Anwar needs to understand that Bumiputeras expect him to renew the NEP and not abolish it. — Bernama

MTEM is aware of the weakness in implementing the NEP in the past, but it is wrong to undertake an affirmative action policy without considering the dimension of race as suggested by Anwar. MTEM