“Without the help of the Barisan Nasional (BN) led by Umno, I and many other bumiputera from poor families would not have had the opportunity to go to school and be out of the hardship,” said International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed.

He believed that his achievement today was made possible by the policies introduced by the government over the years.

Earlier, in his presidential speech at the Umno general assembly, Umno president Najib Abdul Razak had said that Mustapa was among the examples of Umno’s success in championing the Malays and bumiputera in the country.

Mustapa, who is fondly known as Tok Pa, said the special assistance given by the government to the bumiputera had opened up many opportunities for young people to pursue higher education.

The Bachok-born minister, who continued his studies in Australia and the United States, said the government’s efforts had produced many professionals among the bumiputera.

“The biggest success of the new economic policy is producing professionals with high qualifications.

“I will never forget what BN has done for me and my family. What's important is that we make full use of the opportunities given by the government to become a competitive person who are not only successful in Malaysia but also at the global level,” he said.

- Bernama