The fixation of politicians with the numbers and methodologies used to determine the benefits of the National Economic Policy (NEP) has turned attention away from the critical issues at stake.

This was the point raised by two Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in response to the discussion among Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders on whether to release the government's method of calculating Bumiputra equity shares.

Over the weekend, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the government is transparent and can reveal the methodology to appease the sceptics. Gerakan president Dr Lim Keng Yaik called for the disclosure a day earlier.

The issue arose after the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) released a much disputed report claiming that Bumiputera equity ownership may be as high as 45 percent and not 18.9 percent as claimed by the government.

However, PKR treasurer Khalid Ibrahim said BN leaders were attempting to create a spin to the issue.

"They discuss the numbers because this is the least of their problems and because they can still continue indulging in their corrupt activities while discussing the numbers," he said when contacted today.

Abolish NEP

Despite the NEP, Khalid said, it is only those among the Malays and even the Chinese who are politically connected that have benefited at the expense of ordinary people.

He said direct and indirect kickbacks and rewards for landing government contracts have led to a higher cost of doing business in Malaysia - a cost borne by the people who pay for inflated projects and privatisation.

The political corollary to this is the practice of funding by corporations and wealthy individuals of political parties and their activities in return for landing big projects, he added.

"What are we doing the calculation for? Just to make sure we are right in our calculations while 'killing' the people? I'd rather save the people than be right in the calculations," he added.

According to Khalid, ruling parties have used and benefited from the NEP through the lack of transparency and use of the Official Secrets Act, corruption, and misuse of power and the entrenchment of business and political cronies.

Yet, he said the Gerakan president did not raise these points.

"These political leaders benefit from the NEP, which helps them to fund the political process. And you're asking these chaps to reject the NEP? They will fight until the cows come home.

"The whole system has been vulgarised (by all parties). We should abolish the NEP in favour of one that provides opportunity to the needy regardless of race, colour or creed," he added.

He also pointed out the ability of citizens in the US to acquire information on public and private contracts and tenders.

Independent committee

In a related development, PKR adviser Anwar Ibrahim called for the establishment of an independent committee to evaluate equity holdings and poverty.

This committee, said the former deputy-premier, would report on the real status of the economy beyond any doubt.

Anwar also expressed disappointment with the 'knee-jerk' reactions of government and Umno leaders to the Asli report which only provoked 'racial suspicions' and heightened tensions.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang said Najib should just reveal the methodology applied in calculating bumiputera equity ownership instead of talking about being transparent.

"Is he still looking for excuses to continue to keep (the methodology) opaque and withhold all the relevant data available from the Malaysian public?" he asked in a statement.

"Let the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday make the policy decision to make public the methodology, data and all reports prepared in connection with the Ninth Malaysia Plan and corporate equity ownership," he added.

In the fallout over the Asli report, its director for the Centre for Public Policy Studies Dr Lim Teck Ghee resigned after disagreeing with the Asli president over the retraction of the contentious report.