Malay contractors must be able to compete in a free market economy, Daim Zainuddin told Malay Contractors Association president Mokhtar Samad today.

Mokhtar was told this when meeting the Council of Eminent Persons, which Daim chairs, at Ilham Tower in Kuala Lumpur today.

“The new government has given its promise to look out for Bumiputera contractors,” Mokhtar said.

“However, he (Daim) said Bumiputera contractors must be ready to face challenges. Progress only comes if they’re ready to compete and learn new skills,” he said.  

Mokhtar said that Daim had assured him the new government “would not leave Bumiputeras behind”.

“But he said it was no longer a matter of Bumiputeras and non-Bumiputeras. Those who have talent and capabilities will receive assistance. The Bumiputeras can helped with new and improved methods.”

Mokhtar declined to comment further, but said today was the “first of many meetings” with the council.

During the meeting, Daim requested for the number of Bumiputera contractors with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).

Mokhtar said he informed the former finance minister that 40,000 firms were registered, with 22,000 consisting of G1 contractors.

When asked how Malay contractors were faring, Mokhtar said: “Under the current climate, Malay contractors say that are unable to compete or unable to complete their jobs.”

“We feel touched that we are the first Daim called to find out what can be done to help Malay contractors in the new government.

“As president, I am satisfied with the guarantees and the questions posed. He was a former contractor. He understands our problem. I expected the one-to-one meeting to last four minutes, but I got 24 minutes. It was as if I was a patient and he was a doctor.” – May 24, 2018.