'Congress empowers bumiputera economy without marginalising others'

The Bumiputera Economic Congress 2024 which took place from Feb 29 to March 2 has successfully presented an agenda to empower the bumiputera economy without marginalising other ethnic groups, said the deputy prime minister.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the congress involved the inclusion of various parties for the interests of the national economy.

This included chambers of commerce representing the Malays, Muslims and other bumiputera such as Kadazandusun, Dayaks and Ibans. Chinese and Indian chambers of commerce as well as various NGOs related to the economy were also involved.

"There is no agenda to marginalise aid to other ethnic groups in this country. There is no agenda to not implement development.

“Instead, there will be more (comprehensive) economic growth through the involvement of all bumiputera groups in addition to meeting the needs of other races," he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama in Parliament.

Assuring that the government will also give the interests of other races attention, Zahid said they are also given various assistance to operate their businesses.

Regarding the government's actions after the congress, the deputy prime minister said he will chair a coordination meeting this week for the 82 resolutions as a follow-up action for the implementation of these resolutions.

"We will establish a permanent secretariat comprising the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, which has Mara, and the Economy Ministry, which has an Economic Planning Unit.

"The source of its power is the Bumiputera Economic Council (MEB) of which the prime minister is the chairperson and I am the deputy.

“The 82 resolutions involve 10 clusters that cover various fields and there may be some areas not covered that we will plan through MEB and continue to address some issues that have not been included (in the resolution)," Zahid said.

Congress’ committees

The rural and regional development minister also said this year’s congress was the third bumiputera economic congress organised by the government, the first was in 1965 and the second in 1968.

"After that, there were many more congresses organised by NGOs and several parties, but it was not a government decision but rather a proposal to the government," he added.

He said the prime minister had asked him to chair the steering committee for the MEB as its implementation involves various ministries and agencies in implementing the latest resolutions.

"There are three committees, namely the Main Committee which deals with policy issues, while the Steering Committee deals with policy issues for implementation.

“The third committee is the Working Committee, chaired by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, which will look at the expenditure that needs to be incurred and the delay in implementation," he added.

- Bernama

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