Bumiputera economic policy will make Malays lazy, says Zaid


September 19, 2013

Race-based policies like the Bumiputera economic agenda is an “addiction” to the dominant Malay population, which makes them lazy, says former minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim (pic).

The maverick politician told The Malaysian Insider that policies to improve the lives of people should not be targeted at just one race but must be based on needs rather than ethnicity.

“I think it is a superficial policy and the idea of helping one particular group is no longer necessary. I don’t see the need for special treatment for Malays only.

“Instead, you should start on the premise that everyone should be treated equally and fairly and help those in need, and not just the Malays,” he said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Last Saturday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak launched the Bumiputera Economic Empowerment Council which has a five-pronged thrust to strengthen Bumiputeras in the fields of capital, corporate sector equity ownership, non-financial assets, entrepreneurship and commerce, and service delivery and ecosystem.

The new plan includes a slew of economic programmes as well as cash aid which Putrajaya said was aimed at helping Bumiputeras financially.

Analysts see this as Najib's attempt to shore up support ahead of the Umno party polls next month, while respected law expert Dr Azmi Sharom said it was a violation of the Federal Constitution which promises equality.

In describing the agenda as “discriminatory” and “unfair”, Zaid, a former Umno minister, dismissed the notion that Bumiputeras cannot compete effectively without it, noting that the affirmative action policy is an “addiction” which makes the dominant Malay population lazy.

“It’s a choice to do something less, no need to strive so much because it is easier not to. However, we don’t need special treatment, but reasonable help based on needs. If you want to help them, help them the right way,” he said.

He took the Opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to task for remaining mainly quiet on the issue, advising them to take a long-term view of the country rather than being afraid to rock the boat because Bumiputeras constitute a huge votebank.

“They have to make people understand that a fairer, transparent policy should be promoted for the interest of all. We don’t need this so-called protection. If the majority of the Malays are still poor,then something is wrong with the policy.”

The former lawyer-cum-politician also rejected claims that he benefited from race-based policies, stressing that he had never asked for any special favours or government contracts.

“I am a good example of a Malay who never got anything special because of my race. I don’t want to abuse my position as a Malay,” he said.

Zaid, 63, was in Umno for 23 years and the de-facto law minister during Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's tenure but quit his Cabinet post and Umno in September 2008 over the arrests of three individuals – DAP'S Teresa Kok, blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin and journalist Tan Hoon Cheng under the Internal Security Act, which allowed for detention without trial.

He joined PKR, also one of the parties in Pakatan Rakyat, in June 2009 but resigned a year later citing loss of confidence in the party's leadership.

He later took over a Kelantan-based party and called it People's Welfare Party (KITA) but quit in November last year. – September 19, 2013.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/print/malaysia/bumiputera-economic-policy-will-make-malays-lazy-says-zaid

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