Zaid: Umno, Perkasa defenders of rent-seeking
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider
PKR supreme council member Datuk Zaid Ibrahim today accused Umno and right-wing Malay groups like Perkasa of promoting rent-seeking among Malays under guise of defending their rights.
He said Malays with high-level ministerial connections were being accorded allowances, special benefits, as well as positions, ostensibly to allow others access to these connections.
“Actually, what they want to defend is a rent (seeking) system, whereby Umno Bumiputeras can use their influence as leverage to get positions, allowances and shares in a company.
“These kind do not mind protecting the interests of the elite, even though the companies of these elites have resulted in honest Malay businessmen [being] unable to gain a fair playing field. That is the truth of the situation,” said Zaid in a posting on his blog.
He asserted that Malays should be able to work with anyone, as long as they worked hard and took care of their businesses.
“I agree with Ibrahim Ali who has said that there was nothing wrong with him, as Perkasa president, working with a wealthy Chinese businessman like Vincent Tan, or with any businessman to make housing projects or bridges or any other projects in Kelantan.
“Malays should be able to work with whoever that can bring them benefits and profits. The important thing is that they really work hard and are proactive businessmen. What’s important is that Malays should not become ‘sleeping partners’ or an Ali to a Baba. Malays need to know their self-worth,” said Zaid.
