Perak DAP has questioned why the government chose to have a bumiputera agenda in the 2015 Budget.

Referring to the statement by Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan, Perak DAP economic bureau chief Chong Zhemin said the focus should be on the “poor and needy” and not any particular race.

“The poor and needy do not comprise only one particular race but cut across all races.

“There are poor Malays staying in the kampung, poor Chinese staying in new villages, poor Indians staying in estates and poor Kadazan staying in villages.

“By setting the agenda to help one particular race, some of the poor and needy are bound to be left behind,” Chong ( left ) said in a statement.

Ahmad said yesterday said that the government’s bumiputera focus on the 2015 budget is not racist as Malays make up close to 70 percent of the population.

He had added that if Malays do not progress then Malaysia as a whole cannot progress.

However, Chong contended that Malaysia can only move forward “when no Malaysian is left behind”.

“Malaysia can only advance when 100 percent of its population advances.

“I urge the government to start formulating a more inclusive policy so that all deserving Malaysians will benefit from it,” Chong added.