AFFIRMATIVE action policies should extend from race- to needs-based, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said. 

Speaking in an exclusive interview on The CNBC Conversation last Friday, Anwar said if the policies were considered to be too focused on race, it would create animosity and anxiety among the people.

“It is not an issue of dismantling (Malay rights and Bumiputera privileges). It is an issue of focusing on areas that are important to them. We cannot talk about pure meritocracy between the rural heartland in Sarawak and the premier schools in Kuala Lumpur. 

“I think the same argument applies (to affirmative action policies). If you focus on the issue of need, justice and fairness then we can proceed with this affirmative action policies,” he said in response to anchor Martin Soong about Malay rights, entitlement and privileges.

Taking the example of the New Economic Policy introduced by the previous government, Anwar said the main criticism against the policy under the former regime has been to use it to enrich the children and their families.

“I have to put an end to these excesses,” he said.

However, Anwar said if the policies are, for example, to create new entrepreneurs, to provide good quality education for the poor, then it is not only tolerable but imperative. – Bernama, August 21, 2023.