Translation
On a macro angle, the economy status of the Malay population depends on the nation´s economy. In the past 2 or 3 years, world events have impacted the Malaysian economy growth and other countries. Among the most salient are the steep increase in world oil prices, the September 11 2001 attacks, America´s invasion on Afghanistan and Iraq, the SARS outbreak and the emergence of new trade giants, especially China and India. In addition the speed of globalization and the new ICT industry.
All these mean that we must strengthen the nation´s economy and the Malay population must strive for competitiveness and endurance. It´s impossible for a country with a weak economy to endure in an ever changing and ever challenging global arena. This is what sets Malaysia apart from other developing countries.
Measures have been taken to strengthen the local economy. This include efforts to build a completive nation, identifying and broaden participation in other new economy sectors, encouraging more direct local and foreign investments, increasing the involvement of private sectors and identify investments for government-linked companies (GLCs).
According to the government´s plan, private investment is predicted to rise 11.8% a year between 2004-2005 compared to the dwindled 11.1% between 2001 and 2003. On the contrary, government investment is predicted to decrease 4.2% between 2004-2005 compared to a 9.6% rise between 2001 and 2003.
At platform, the administration of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi emphasizes (3) important stances:
• First, to ensure that the public sector operates smoothly with full commitment to improve delivery system and maintain financial discipline. With the leadership of Abdullah, the government is striving to fight corruption and misappropriating of funds as well as increasing control, integrity and efficiency. The government must ensure all its resources are managed well and perfectly.
• Second, to strengthen the private sector in order to boost productivity and the country´s competitiveness on top of making it the drive of economic growth. A prosperous and competitive economy can attract more investors, both local and foreign; and
• Third, to accelerate the development of human resources so that those who are intellectual, skillful, creative and innovative can contribute to a growing economy. Therefore, the government is specifically emphasizing on education and practical training in the area of business and entrepreneurship.
The main challenge is to produce business people, corporate figures and entrepreneurs of world standards, whom are able to compete in the international arena while providing quality goods and services that are sought after in the open market. In this time of globalization, our business people and entrepreneurs must be able to grasp the changing times, think strategically, be knowledgeable and be well connected in the world of business. Lacking these poignant qualities, we will be left out.
In waking up to this reality, the government has decided to take new measures in order to strengthen and speed up its goal to shape a Society of Bumiputera Traders and Industrialists (MPPB) and create quality Malay middle class. This is the country´s agenda.
The launching of packaged programs like the Vendor Development Program, the Franchise Development Program, Capital Scheme and the Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Project in the Sundry Division (PROSPER) is among the programs developed especially to assist Bumiputera entrepreneurs. The assistance provided include formal business training and hands-on experience, marketing channels, business premises, technical advise and financial assistance as well as loans.
As an example, within the Vendor Development Program, as many as 75 Bumiputera companies have been established as vendors to private companies in the automotive, motorcycle, food, construction material and furniture. As many as 83 other companies have been selected to supply equipment, goods and services to large government owned companies like Petronas, TNB and Telekom Berhad.
To assist these businesses financially, a total of 46 funding channels have been set up to distribute financial assistance to the Bumiputera entrepreneurs. Within the time frame of the 9th Malaysia Plan´s Continuing Research, a total of RM5,600 million have been disbursed to 16,370 Bumiputera entrepreneurs.
Whereas under the new strategy package launched in 2003, the government has allotted an additional RM3,700 million to the New Entrepreneurs Fund, Small and Medium Industry Fund, Food Fund, Special Travel Fund, and Initiative Trust Payment Scheme, and the new Micro Credit Scheme, which is managed by Bank Pertanian Malaysia and Bank Simpanan Nasional.
Under the ambitious agenda of the MPPB, the government wants to generate a well-trained and able group to succeed in their business efforts. It is pointless to groom successful business people if they are not given a chance for further advancement. If this happens, success will not be permanent and the MPPB fails because the successful are restricted from progress.
However those who succeed should not dependant on the government. Capability is meaningless unless we can compete in the free market. If we are truly competent, the true challenge is to penetrate into the free market.
Even though the government has worked to curb Malays from lending their privileged business and trade facilities to non-Bumiputeras, it is still rampant. The MPPB´s vision will not be fulfilled unless the Malays are convinced that it´s nobler to work hard and succeed in business rather than becoming a front for others.
We do not wish that Malays are only interested to get a license and permit from the government and in return sell it to non-Bumiputeras. Or those who win a government project but turns it over to non-Bumiputeras while they only participate as sleeping partners. This may be a quick way to riches and the development of the Bumiputera economy but this not the way to absolute Bumiputera ownership and competitiveness. Definitely, this is not an ethical way of doing business.
This is not to say that we are unwilling to see cooperation between Bumiputeras and non-Bumiputera but even in collaboration Malays must take the initiative to be actively involve in all business proceedings. Malays must strive to learn from the non-Malays in all the aspects of business.
As we know, the economic strategy under Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi´s administration is toward a progressive country, a continuation of former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Even though the 1997-98 economy crisis, last year´s SARs outbreak and the invasion of Iraq have affected our plans, in general, we are still on a fortunate path. Thankfully if the nation´s economy still grows as projected, we will be a developed nation in the year 2020.
Malaysia wants to be developed because we want to have a truly free country. With a developed status Malaysia will not be in the mercy and pressure of other world powers, be it in politics, economy and social issues.
Besides that, we want Malaysians to enjoy a higher standard of living as well as have ambitions and capability in all fields. It´s true that more and more Malays have been successful in business, trade, banking, science and technology, medicine, engineering and industrialization. Many are millionaires, own factories and buildings and even have dealings overseas. More remarkable is that most of the successful Malays are from modest families in small farms and fishing villages. WE want to see more of these people. We need to create the numbers.
The progress or failure of a race is not a mere natural predisposition. It depends on the value of life an ethnicity holds and practices. That is why imprudent Arabs with conservative mindsets will be left behind. But when they accept the teachings of Islam and change their values in life, they can success and conquer half the world while building an admirable civilization.
The same can be applied to Malays. Malay Muslims are not destined to be unprogressive or born less intelligent compared to other races. They are just as capable as other races. The achievements since independence especially in the last 10-20 years should assure the Malays. Do not give up and do not be complacent in all dealings. Malay businesses should incorporate excellence in to their culture.
This is the Malay society that Islam wants to create through the efforts of MPPB – a society that is able to conquer all fields, opinionated and experienced, respected and maintains high religious and spirituality. |
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