Minister says Malays lagging all over

(Bernama) – The economic quagmire of the Malays is not only occurring in Penang but also in other states, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

He said, however, the situation in Penang was more challenging than in other states to the extent that the Penang Malay backwardness was perceived as a Penang phenomenon.

“Actually, the problem is a national phenomenon,” he said when presenting a paper entitled “The 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP): Implications to the Malays and Bumiputeras” at the Penang Malay Economic Convention organised by Penang Umno here today.

Nor Mohamed said the main problems confronting Penang Malays were lower income, manpower development, educational achievements and entrepreneurial accomplishments compared to other races.

He said another problem that needed to be addressed was correcting the imbalance between successful and unsuccessful Penang Malays by producing a bigger Malay middle class base.

The imbalance has resulted in the stratification of the Malays in the state, he added.

“We need to make sure there is economic and social mobility to form a larger Malay middle class base in the march towards a developed country status,” he said, adding that, thus continuous efforts must be done to build a world class Malay-based talent.