The MIC’s Cameron Highlands MP Datuk Devamany S. Krishnasamy said the NEM reflected the “realities” of current global trends.
“The PM is very bold to accept the realities of the global change today and he has put in place a fundamental profound transformation plan and I think every Malaysian must feel the heart beat of this man. He has engaged people who are internationally renowned and locally powerful in the economic sector and also the social transformation plan.
“He spoke about needs-based and not much about race-based. As MIC is concerned, poverty is in the urban and some rural sectors. Let’s go and touch all of them, they are Malaysians. And if it is going to be needs-based then everybody is going to benefit from this transformation. More importantly, we cannot only be talking about poverty reduction but also wealth creation which will trickle down to the poor,” he said.
Najib said today that the rent-seeking and patronage that has marked affirmative action policies will not be tolerated under the NEM which, he says, will now consider all races fairly as long as they are in the lower-income group.
Najib said the renewed affirmative action policy in the NEM would focus on raising income levels of all disadvantaged groups.
He added that affirmative action will be market-friendly, merit-based, transparent and needs-based.
He said one important consideration will be developing a competitive and transparent tender process for the Bumiputera business community.
Umno's Putrajaya MP Datuk Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the model showed the government was “sincere” in its message of 1 Malaysia.
“I think as you are aware, we are moving towards 1 Malaysia and we are living in diversity and unity so I think the move by Datuk Seri Najib is a move to show the sincerity of the government. Of course, we can have all sorts of policies but the policies are not working and we need policies that work. So this is a very good move,” he said.
The MCA’s Alor Gajah MP Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn said the new policy will help resolve the problem of brain drain in the country.
“I think this is a long overdue recognition, in particularly when we are increasingly facing a world in which the traditional economy such as capital and rent are not the important input. The most important input in the new global world is actually brain power and human resource.
“Therefore we need to get away from the old mentality and our prime minister has recognised that. Of course, we must continue to help the poor but it must be the poor of all races. We need to provide them with opportunities so they can develop their brain power,” he said.
Kota Marudu MP Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili pointed out that the NEM was “long overdue”.
Pasir Mas independent MP and right-wing Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali refused to comment when asked by The Malaysian Insider.
“I need to study the New Economic Model first before I can make any comment,” he said.
courtesy of Malaysian Insider
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