NEP stays, says Pak Lah

NEP stays, says Pak Lah
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/11/nation/18266005&sec=nation

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is willing to review policies or regulations deemed to be hindering the distribution of equity in the most sustainable, competitive and meaningful way.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, however, said Malaysian maintained its position that the New Economic Policy (NEP) was not a cost to doing business.

“Perhaps the most difficult question we must address is to improve equity without sacrificing competitiveness. Many have come to regard Malaysia’s affirmative action policies, widely described as the NEP, as a cost to doing business.

“But many fail to appreciate the spirit behind the policy, and this is crucial in understanding Malaysia,” he said yesterday.

Bear in mind that this speech is a targeted response against the EU envoy's "comments" on the NEP and its hindrances to global trade and economic growth. The prime minister doesn't say much in specifics, preferring to hide behind generic words and phrases to justify this outdated practice of institutionalized racism.

Abdullah said the objective to dissociate race from occupation or social standing was crucial in ensuring long-term unity for the country – given its legacy and racial structure.

I really doubt that the NEP has successfully done this. Look at the situation today. Politicians and government servants are mainly ethnic Malays. Handphone sellers and fruit stall owners are mainly ethnic Chinese. Mamak style eateries are owned mainly by ethnic Indians. Where is the dissociation of race from occupation or social standing?

“Racial-based riots raged in neighbouring countries while Malaysia was spared the experience. The expansion of an educated and multi-ethnic middle class, thanks to affirmative action policies, has mitigated the risk of mass unrest.

I agree that there is now a larger pool of middle class. But at the same time, the NEP has also created a wider rift between the super rich (UMNOputras) and the super poor. On the surface, our country is leaps and bounds ahead of other third world countries, by virtue of our chase for material achievements (think KLIA, twin towers, Putrajaya).

“But great disparities in income and social mobility still exist between ethnic groups. Whereas this may just be another issue in other countries, ethnic-based disparity strikes at the heart of national unity for Malaysia,” said Abdullah in his keynote address at a high-level dialogue with foreign investors and international business leaders.

It all really begins with the political setup of our ruling party. Since the BN is also a loose coalition of race-based political parties, we would expect racial issues to be central to their ideology. So what's new?

BLA BLA BLA!