Malay Anti-NEM Groups Should Have Mindset Change

By P. Sivakumar (President, Malaysian Indian Business Association)

Malay pressure groups that are opposing the NEM (New Economic Model) should have a mindset change Instead of calling for the abolishment of the NEM and branding the NEAC (National Economic Advisory Council) as traitors; they should instead lobby for minor changes in order to participate.

The recent congress organized by the Malay Consultative Council lacks perhaps awareness about NEM. A more comprehensive program to make every citizen and most important the implementers to understand the vast scope and the effect of the NEM on the entire operation (civil service) and the benefit set to be gained from NEM should be initiated before getting feedback.

The Malaysian economy and society have changed fundamentally over the past years. Malaysia has almost depleted most of her natural resources and need to reform her economy in order to remain competitive in the globalized and modernized world.

The NEM looks good enough and if properly implemented would have an enterprise wide impact affecting all departments in the public and private sectors. Any ad-hoc changes to the NEM will complicate the overall level of achievement thus the Prime Minister must be bold enough with political will and support from all to make NEM a reality in the interest of all citizens and country.

The Malay groups should speak for all Malaysians; while the NEP (New Economic Policy) did good for a major section of the Malay society others felt deprived of their fundamental rights to equal opportunity and fair treatment. One such community was the Indians who felt so displaced in the economic and social scale so much so they have become marginalized, unable to cope with the increasing complexities of economic progress within the changing economy and have remained very poor.

Thus the NEAC members of NEM have correctly pointed out a serious need group compromising of 40% Malaysians at the lower income-earners who really need to be helped.

The rich and middle class Malaysian who is successful should now make way for the poor of all races to progress. The NEAC members though being blindly accused by some groups as traitors have thought out well for the country’s future prospect for Malaysia; as a progressive and successful Nation. Where the suggested NEM is adaptable to all races, flexible to meet present aspirations of the economy and her people by providing a precious mould for the future of our multi-racial society.