Economy of the Malays needs to undergo a paradigm shift and register an annual growth of at least 8.0 percent for them achieve a similar economic status with the non-Malays.

Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Mukhriz Mahathir said the economy of the Malays should be on par with other races to enable them to retain their present political power.

mukhriz mahathir “If other races dominate the economy, it will not be impossible for their political power to see a sudden increase,” he said at the Young People’s Discourse programme organised by Persatuan Alumni Pemimpin Mahasiswa Aspirasi Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur last night.

In this regard, Mukhriz ( left ) said, the economy of the Malays must grow in tandem with the country’s economy to prevent the economic gap between them and the non-Malays from widening.

Presently, he said, the Malays’ economy grew between 2.3 and 2.5 percent compared with the country’s 7.0 percent growth.

“That growth of the country’s economy shows the economy of the non-Malays has expanded faster than the economy of the Malays,” he said.

Mukhriz said if the economic growth difference continued until 2020, the economic gap between the Malays and the non-Malays would widen further.

The Young People’s Discourse was attended by over 50 former student leaders of higher learning institutions nationwide.

Among other issues discussed were jobless graduates and aid for graduates wishing to start a business.

- Bernama