Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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(May 21): Strengthening the Bumiputara economy will continue to be the national agenda, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today while tabling the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) in Parliament.

He said Bumiputeras, at present, made up 68% of the population.

The number represents a 5% increase from 62% 25 years ago.

"As such, initiatives for Bumiputera must be continued. The government will continue to fight for Bumiputera policies but it must be based on meritocracy among the Bumiputera."

He said in line with Bumiputera Economic Empowerment Agenda launched in 2013, the government was committed to meeting the 30% Bumiputera equity ownership target by 2020.

Towards this end, Najib said withdrawing of savings from the Account 1 of the Employees Provident Fund for the purpose of investing in Amanah Saham Bumiputera 2 would soon be allowed, depending on minimal savings requirements.

The government also aimed to build two Mara Science colleges in Sik, Kedah and Tanah Merah, Kelantan as well as a secondary school in Sungai Siput, Perak, which the majority of its students are Orang Asli.

The Malays living in kampung, especially fishermen, farmers and self-employed, would enjoy basic facilities to modernise and increase their livelihood.

For the Orang Asli and Bumiputeras from Sabah and Sarawak, focus will be on the allocation of Native Customary Rights (NCR) lands to encourage them to develop the land with modern technology and with the help of relevant agencies.

As for the Indians, Najib said a blueprint outlining the direction of the community's socio-economic development would be drawn up, while Chinese new villages’ special loan scheme would be continued, with focus on microcredit loans. – The Malaysian Insider

 

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