PUTRAJAYA, Aug 19 — The Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35) was launched today as a major shift to advance Bumiputera development and make Malaysia a regional economic leader.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also finance minister, said as times change, new plans are needed to drive the Bumiputera agenda to greater heights.
“The country should be driven with a more convincing level of speed, but at the same time, must not leave anyone behind.
“The idea is that the economic drive should be done with the participation of all people without marginalising any ethnicity, tribe or territory across the country,” he said when launching the PuTERA35 here today.
PuTERA35 was introduced to raise the status and dignity of Bumiputera in line with the aspirations of the Madani Economy: Empowering the People initiative and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which will allow Malaysians to enjoy a better quality of life.
PuTERA35 encompasses three core areas, 12 growth drivers and 132 comprehensive initiatives in empowering and advancing Bumiputera development.
Anwar emphasised that the introduction of PuTERA35 will not set aside the interests of other races in this country.
“The Bumiputera-related policy in Malaysia is an affirmative policy to reflect on the situation of injustice, but never to set aside the interests of Indian children or Chinese children, let alone the children of Bumiputera, Orang Asli, or the natives of Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
In this regard, Anwar urged all Bumiputera empowerment agencies to plan their programmes responsibly and with full accountability.
He said those who manage Bumiputera agencies would be considered the biggest traitors if they succumbed to corruption and poor governance.
“Of course, Bumiputera agencies must ensure the implementation of their programmes is more thorough, more efficient, and more responsible,” he said.
Meanwhile, Anwar said enforcement agencies including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Royal Malaysia Police and the Inland Revenue Board can also play a role in monitoring Bumiputera empowerment agencies to ensure the success of PuTERA35.
“Recently, more power was given to the auditor-general to come in and monitor (Bumiputera agencies) as a prerequisite.
“Otherwise, there will still be leakages even if we pour in tens of billions of ringgit, because the impact does not reach the grassroots. The people won’t like it when the plan sounds great but the implementation is not,” he said.
The Economy Ministry in a statement said PuTERA35’s implementation will be monitored by the Bumiputera Economic Council, chaired by Anwar.
“Systematic and integrated reporting and monitoring through the dashboard will enable a more comprehensive assessment and intervention measures can be taken immediately.
“The role of the Bumiputera Agenda Empowerment Unit in all ministries will also be empowered and given the responsibility to implement and closely monitor efforts at the ministry and agency levels,” said the statement.
— Bernama
