Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Pix credit: Anwar’s X (Twitter)
By TNS News Team
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 – In today’s Parliamentary session, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim responded to questions from Datuk Dr. Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail, the MP for Kubang Pasu, addressing the government’s approach to the Putera 2030 Transformation Plan. The Prime Minister outlined the agenda’s focus on reducing socio-economic disparities while maintaining a commitment to Bumiputera empowerment through targeted policies.
During the session, MP Dr. Ku Abdul Rahman raised concerns about the government’s specific strategies under the Putera 2030 plan, asking about the agenda’s impacts, studies conducted, and budget allocations.
In his response, the Prime Minister highlighted the inclusive nature of the economic development efforts, stating, “When we aim to eradicate poverty and raise living standards, our approach is comprehensive and does not differentiate between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera.” He emphasized the shift away from previous “racial profiling” practices, noting that economic growth and access to financial support are extended to all communities.
Anwar assured the continuation of affirmative action policies, citing the ongoing importance of equity and Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, which safeguards Bumiputera rights.
However, he acknowledged that past policies focused heavily on equity could lead to significant disparities within the Malay community itself.
“If we focus too rigidly on equity, as was the case before, it can exacerbate the gap between wealthy Malay conglomerates and the majority who remain economically marginalized,” he said.
The Prime Minister also pointed to recent government initiatives, such as the reclaiming of Bandar Malaysia, which now reserves 50 acres for Bumiputera participation, as a demonstration of the ongoing commitment to Bumiputera interests.
“This is something that has not been done since our independence in 1957,” he remarked.
Addressing questions regarding the merger of three banks, Anwar stressed the importance of supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
He mentioned that Bank Negara Malaysia has established conditions for the merger to ensure continued priority for Bumiputera lending. He promised to provide the exact allocation from the RM1 billion budget upon receiving a formal notice.
In a related query, MP Hassan Abdul Karim of Pasir Gudang proposed appointing independent professionals from the private sector to the boards of Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLICs) and Government-Linked Companies (GLCs), instead of political figures or civil servants.
Anwar responded that all appointments go through a rigorous vetting process, including checks by the Inland Revenue Board, Bank Negara, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Royal Malaysia Police.
“The emphasis is on professionals, regardless of their political background,” he stated, noting that the government upholds the principles set by Bank Negara, particularly for financial institutions.
Anwar concluded by assuring that the government would strengthen monitoring efforts, with the Auditor-General set to conduct audits from next year. “This will serve as a reminder that there should be no wrongdoing or irregularities within these agencies,” he affirmed.
The exchanges highlighted the administration’s ongoing efforts to balance affirmative action with broader economic inclusivity, as the government continues to address both historical inequities and emerging socio-economic challenges.
- TNS News