Better to focus on Mara’s issues than set up umbrella body, Muhyiddin told

“Rather than proposing something new and unnecessary, the former prime minister should clarify which Bumiputera rights remain unfulfilled. What gaps in Mara’s efforts need to be addressed?

(FMT) – Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng says Bumiputera rights are already supported by various government policies and institutions, including Mara.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin should focus on addressing the gaps in efforts by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) to facilitate Bumiputera education, business, and entrepreneurship instead of setting up a new umbrella body for the Malays, says Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng.

Lim said Bumiputera rights were already supported by various government policies and institutions, including Mara.

“Rather than proposing something new and unnecessary, the former prime minister should clarify which Bumiputera rights remain unfulfilled. What gaps in Mara’s efforts need to be addressed?

“These are the types of questions he should have raised in Parliament and worked on while in office. Proposing vague new initiatives without tackling existing issues is unhelpful and detracts from real solutions,” Lim said in a statement.

The DAP MP also asked why Muhyiddin had not taken steps to enhance Mara’s effectiveness when he had the authority and opportunity to do so as prime minister.

Last Saturday, Muhyiddin proposed that all Malay and Bumiputera NGOs form an umbrella body to consolidate efforts to advocate the Bumiputera agenda.

The Pagoh MP said that by uniting under a common cause, the organisations could more effectively promote the socio-economic development of Bumiputera individuals and families across Malaysia.

He cited Dong Zong as an example of an umbrella body representing various groups fighting for common interests.

Muhyiddin’s proposal came after FMT reported that several Malay NGOs were planning to join Bersatu in a bid to strengthen the party ahead of the 16th general election.

However, Lim said that Muhyiddin’s proposal reflected a misunderstanding of both Dong Zong and the current system.

“Dong Zong exists to safeguard the right of the Malaysian Chinese to learn their mother tongue in schools. It does not address economic, social, or religious issues, as Muhyiddin seems to imply,” he said.

Yesterday, P Ramasamy, chairman of Indian-based party Urimai, described Muhyiddin’s proposal as more symbolic than practical.

He said Muhyiddin’s proposal was to shore up Bersatu’s political standing due to the party’s waning influence.

Ramasamy also said that the move was unlikely to yield significant results, given Bersatu’s fractured internal dynamics and its dependence on PAS.