FORMER MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker has reiterated that his debate on the 2024 budget in the Dewan Negara on the proposed Bumiputera Economic Congress was not to deny the organisers the right to hold such a conference.

Ti told The Malaysian Insight that the government should instead give equal attention to all ethnic groups in the country – the Malays, the Chinese, the Indians and the people of Sabah and Sarawak – and not just one particular group.

He said his biggest concern was that opportunists and the Malay elites might try to misuse the congress for political purposes and stoke Malay sentiments.

“Addressing the concerns of all communities is essential for solving the country’s problems,” he added.

“The government should prioritise the concerns of the nation first.”

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in announcing the congress earlier in the week, had said it was to discuss a more equitable, just, and inclusive Bumiputera agenda.

In a follow-up statement, Deputy Economic Minister Hanifah Hajar Taib said the congress will review the existing approach to its Bumiputera economic agenda and formulate new directions, policies, and action plans.

“I am not opposed to the congress and I am not denying the rights of the Malays.

“Neither did I say ‘cancel the congress’. That was never in my statement.

“I am, however, concerned about the opportunists exploiting it for political gains,” he said.

Ti said as long as such conferences focussed on the Malay elites who reaped all the benefits for themselves, “Malaysia will not progress”.

Umno Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh reacted strongly to Ti’s debate by warning him “not to play with racial issues for personal political gain”. – December 21, 2023.