By Debra ChongKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 - Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak appeared today to welcome debate on the proposed gradual dismantling of NEP-type policies but he would not set a time frame for the process.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament today, he, however, sidestepped a question on whether he thought his proposal would cost him support among the Malay grassroots. Instead, he once again emphasized any move to dismantle elements of the affirmative action policies would be a gradual.
Najib said it would happen at a time "when the Malays are comfortable enough to talk about it," and "as and when it is required." The DPM had said in a recent interview on Bloomberg television that he was ready to gradually end elements of the affirmative action programme "in the not-too-distant future."
In the interview, he had pointed out that "if we do not change, the people will change us". His remarks have sparked off a widespread debate with former PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad weighing in recently to say that the time was not the right time yet to end the Bumiputera policy, especially the target of 30 per cent equity in public listed companies.
But in recent days, leaders from Umno's coalition partner MCA have started applying pressure on the government by calling for a review of the 30% ruling, sparking unhappiness from some quarters in Umno. Najib said today that he did not want to give a time frame for his proposal to be implemented, but he indicated that he welcomed debate on the issue. "We should engage on this issue to ensure what is good for all communities," he said. -- TMI
1 comment:
Najib is not sincere. He is merely playing sandiwara by trying to please the non-Malays as he was speaking before a non-Malay audience when he made those remarks to end the NEP. Najib therefore cannot be trusted. He is a true blue UMNO racist who will never give up NEP, Ketuanan Melayu. He will use the ISA to silence his political opponents.
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