THE New Economic Policy was introduced in 1969, with the twin objectives of eradicating poverty & giving special assistance to the Bumiputera community as per Article 153 of our constitution.

As a result of the NEP, large number of Bumiputeras have been educated at the tertiary level, which has created a significant middle class community.

As the article was implemented mainly based on race and via a quota system, poor non-Malays have hardly benefited, except for a token number admitted to residential schools. State assistance should have been based on need, through an efficient delivery system, and not based upon race alone. There have been abuses in the implementation of NEP.

The Pakatan Harapan government should  come up with a new policy that ensures all poor Malaysians benefit from state intervention in needs-based development.

A large number of Malays in the middle class are average, due to a lack of meritocracy. Lack of open competition has produced Bumiputeras who still want government assistance upon entering the labour market and business. Many Malay millionaires were created, not by merit but through state help, at least in the beginning.

The application of open competition and free market principles, as suggested by Chicago University’s Milton Friedman in his book, Free to Choose, would produce quality Bumiputeras in all fields and enhance national unity. A well-educated & trained Malaysian workforce is needed by competitive companies, both for domestic and global markets.

Towards this end, our education system needs to be reformed. A quality-based education system with fluency in English, as in Singapore, would produce Malaysians who can compete globally. The World Education Report (a Paris-based international group) shows Singapore being number one in the world since mid-1990’s.

The new Pakatan Harapan government should come up with new and prudent policies based on open competition, laissez-faire principles, and an effective delivery system for all Malaysians premised on need. Such a policy has numerous benefits, including enhancement of national unity and eradication of racial polarisation. – June 23, 2018.

* Kalwant Bassi is a retired senior administrative service officer with 30 years of experience. 

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.