MOST Malaysians, especially Bumiputeras, will welcome the statement made by the Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a Channel News Asia  interview recently that: “Affirmative action is still needed to bridge the gap and avoid conflict between Bumiputeras and other races.”

This has  been the  policy adopted  in our  socio-economic planning and implementation since the New Economic Policy was introduced in 1970.

However, the socio-economic scenario has improved considerably over time. 

Affirmative action has significantly reduced the risks of conflict that can be caused by socio-economic and wealth disparities. Today the gap between Bumiputeras and Chinese and people of other races have been largely narrowed.

The greater challenge now is the growing gap in incomes, standards of living and quality of life among the rich and poor Malaysians of all races. There are very poor Malays, Chinese, Indians and other minority groups all over Malaysia.  It’s more a national issue and not confined to any racial group.

Appeal to PM 

l therefore appeal to the prime minister, his Cabinet and Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) to review and revise the NEP so that it adapts to new socio-economic and political realities after their victory in the 14thgeneral election.

Currently, the economic  disparities or socio-economic gaps are based more on income disparities, rather than race differences. 

With a new government after 61 years, this is a “New Era Malaysia”. Therefore, we will need to acknowledge the political tsunami and see change in more practical socio-economic terms for a better future. 

Hence, the new government will need to adopt more socio-economic policies that are income-based and fulfil the basic needs and human rights of all Malaysians. Our new policies need to be founded on conscience and religious values of fairness and fraternity for all Malaysians.

We can no longer afford to be exclusive but have to be inclusive in all our policies and implementation, so that all Malaysians benefit from national development. We now haveto be much more Inclusive in all our policies and practices, or we will revert to policies and practices that were rejected by voters.  

New Malaysia Economic Policy (NMEP)

The government of the new Malaysia could devise and introduce a New Malaysia Economic Policy (NMEP) that  will contribute to more genuine and sustainable national unity. The previous NEP had, unfortunately, caused much national division, disparities and disunity, not only between people of different races, but also within the Bumiputery  and other racial minority groups.

While we would follow the advice of the prime minister to accept that affirmative action is still needed in Malaysia, we hope that the new government will now  ensure, more than ever before, that all deserving Malaysians, regardless of race, get to enjoy new affirmative action policies. 

These new policies should be based on needs and not race. Most Bumiputeras will enjoy this needs-based affirmative action policy, along with poor non-Malays. 

The New Malaysia Economic Policy is essential to promote greater national unity  and a more peaceful, prosperous, progressive and happier new Malaysia.

We pray that the Almighty, will bless and guide the new government leaders to be fair to all Malaysians, especially the poor and underprivileged. – June 27, 2018.

* Ramon Navaratnam is Asli Centre of Public Policy Studies chairman. He reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.