KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim extended an invitation to all business leaders from the Chinese and Indian communities to the Bumiputera Economic Congress 2024 (KEB 2024).
In his speech at the Chinese New Year celebration organised by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), Anwar said the input from leaders of respective communities was important to tackle economic issues faced by the Bumiputera community.
"This year, the Bumiputera congress will be more inclusive compared to previous years. It will still emphasise the problems faced by the community, but the coordinated approach of the government should be more inclusive.
"We want participation from the Chinese and Indian communities, and I hope ACCCIM is ready to discuss.
"An inclusive approach entails discussions about the Bumiputera economy. There are issues such as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) or the poor Indian group that we will deal with together," he said at Shangri-La Hotel here on Thursday (Feb 15).
The KEB 2024 is expected to be held from Feb 29 until March 2 with an attendance of over 3,000 participants, including from the Malay, Kadazandusun, Dayak, Iban and Orang Asli communities.
Anwar also provided assurance that the government would continue programmes to tackle hardcore poverty in the nation regardless of race.
The same goes for tackling corruption. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the government was committed to pursuing those involved in the graft cases regardless of their background.
Also present at the event were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof; Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming; Human Resources Minister Steven Sim; Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and ACCCIM president Tan Sri Low Kian Chuan.
