Reveal latest Malay economic participation: Mohd Puad

(Bernama) – The government needs to reveal the latest data and statistics on equity ownership and economic situation of the Malays, said Umno Supreme Council Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

Mohd Puad, who is also Deputy Education Minister, said the latest statistics on economic achievement by the Malays would show that they were still lagging behind, thus the need for affirmation action polices to be pursued further.

The data and statistics should be made known to Malaysians at large as proof of the economic situation of the Malays as there had been calls lately from various quarters for quotas to assist them to be done away with, he told reporters at his Aidilfitri open house at Dewan Senggarang here today.

Mohd Puad said that besides equity ownership, the government should also inform the people about the level of Malay participation in fields like retailing, wholesale trade and in the professions.

He added that Malaysians must understand the quota system was necessary because the Malays and also Sabah and Sarawak bumiputeras “still had a lot of catching up to do”.

On hurtful remarks about Malaysia made by Singapore Minister in an interview with the New York Times, Mohd Puad said Lee was suffering from “amnesia” on the reasons Singapore left Malaysia.

“He (Lee) knows his Malaysian Malaysia agenda would never have succeeded if Singapore was part of the federation,” he said.

He added that Malaysia had fared much better than the neighbour.