Bersatu aims to empower bumiputra socially and economically
PUTRAJAYA: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will push a new national agenda to the Cabinet to further empower the bumiputra socially and economically, as Umno had robbed the Malays clean during its tenure, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The Bersatu president said the agenda would further convince bumiputra that their well-being would be cared for by the Pakatan Harapan government.
“Seventy-four per cent of those earning a monthly household income of RM4,360 are bumiputra.
“Bersatu will fight for a policy of bumiputra agenda to uplift their plight on the whole.
“I will propose for it to be made a core policy of Pakatan and accepted by the Cabinet as a national agenda,” said Muhyiddin.
He said this in his speech at the annual general meeting of the Armada (Youth) and Srikandi (Women) wings at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.
About 2,000 delegates and observers dressed in red gathered for the second Bersatu AGM, which ends tomorrow.
Muhyiddin said the new agenda was expected to be based on a concept of “equitable shared prosperity”, to be measured by purchasing power.
“This will lessen the income gap between races and geographic areas.
“The main focus is to create an equal outcome and not merely create equal opportunities,” he said.
He explained that poor Malays must be assisted to increase their household income, career opportunities, savings and asset ownerships.
Muhyiddin said the Malays should be grateful that Umno had been defeated in the May 9 polls.
“Bersatu was born during the uprising of the people against the worst kleptocrat in the world.
“We were threatened and left our positions as we gambled the future and lost jobs and friends.
“We took the biggest risk because we loved our country.
“The bumiputra agenda should not focus mainly on eradicating poverty of the bumiputra, but on raising professionals and a secondary class of bumiputra who can compete at the global level,” said Muhyiddin.
In his speech, he also lambasted opposition parties Umno and PAS for scaring the Malays by claiming that the position of Islam, Malays and Malay Rulers would be affected when Pakatan took over.
Party chief strategist Dr Rais Hussin said it was right for the party to conduct more research to create an economy based on the concept of “equitable shared prosperity”.
“If Malaysia focuses too excessively on racial distribution of wealth, as was provided by the National Economic Policy where the bumiputra are entitled to 30% of the corporate stakes, then this document may not lead us right to the watering hole.
“If anything, Malaysia needs to spend more on research and development with the focus on creating an equitable shared prosperity economy.
“With 65% of the (nation’s) demography being Malay, any achievement in science and technology in Malaysia or through foreign direct investment has to be consistent with the spirit of ensuring the ability of the Malays, the largest ethnic group in Malaysia, to be a key stakeholder,” he said.
Alor Gajah Srikandi chief Rohani Ahmad said she was glad Muhyiddin had addressed the matter of meeting the rakyat’s trust by strengthening the position and rights of bumiputra.
She also agreed with the president’s remarks that Umno and PAS had aimed to play up racial and religious tensions.
“They have tried to cast lies about the Pakatan government, all aiming to confuse the minds of the people, but the people are supportive of the government,” she said.