Thursday July 21, 2005

Mukhriz: Government should extend NEP till 2020

DATUK Mukhriz Mahathir showed glimpses of his father’s oratory skill when he spoke for the first time at the Umno Youth general assembly.

Speaking as Umno Youth non-governmental organisations and international relations bureau chief, he captured the delegates’ attention with well thought-out arguments and use of Malay proverbs.

The son of the former prime minister began his speech by recounting the projects and developments undertaken by the bureau in the past year.

He said it collected four million bottles of drinking water for tsunami victims and its effort was even recognised by the United Nations.

Like his father, who is well-known for being unconventional, Mukhriz went against the grain by defending and lauding the New Economic Policy (NEP).

He said the NEP was not the abject failure many of the delegates had painted it to be.

“When I look at the people sitting in front of me, I see lawyers, accountants, doctors, and engineers.

“Like them, we are the product of the NEP, we are the children of NEP,” he said.

He said the NEP had allowed Malays to compete successfully with other races globally.

“Some countries are even trying to copy the NEP. The South African Government has the black empowerment policy to help the natives,” he said.

He said the Government should consider extending the NEP until the year 2020.

Mukhriz said the Malays were not poor businessmen, bangsat (despicable) or a backward race.

“We are the descendents of a race that once ruled an empire. Our people are known for its culture and resourcefulness,” he said.

He said the Malays were successful traders during the days of the Malacca Sultanate and spoke various languages.

“Today, I see them speaking foreign languages in Cherating and Langkawi,” he said.

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