Selangor Journal

‘How can ‘keris’ help our economy?’

By Syauqi Jamil

SHAH ALAM: Bumiputera Malays must develop self confidence in competing and should not simply rely on political support in economy.

Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said the Malay Supremacy mentality must be changed, questioning how far can a ‘keris’ (traditional malay weapon) help the nation’s economy.

“We call it ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ (Malay Maste). We can take out our ‘keris’ but how far will it help us in economic affairs?

“I want Bumiputeras and Malays to have self confidence and able to compete, not simply become Ali Baba or rely on easy permits through political support,” he said.

Speaking in Sinar Harian’s dialogue session called Bicara Minda, Azmin was responding to claims that the Pakatan Harapan administration are neglecting the Malays.

He said this is nothing more than a false and unfair accusations thrown by irresponsible parties.

Azmin said although Pakatan Harapan’s policies is to be fair to all races, statistically there’s still plenty of Bumiputeras and Malays that is left behind under the Bottom 40% (B40) group.

“Its not true that we abandoned the Bumiputera agenda when we hosted a congress meant to empower Bumiputera entrepreneurs within our 100 days in power.

“We say our aides are based on needs not based on race. But it doesn’t mean that we sidelined Bumiputeras. We help those who deserves it and majority are still Malays,” he said.

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