PASIR GUDANG: The implementation of the aid given to Malays and bumiputra is what needs to be looked into, not their special position that is enshrined in the Federal Constitution, says Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim.
"I am not questioning the special position of the Malays and bumiputra enshrined under Article 153. The policy is okay.
"What I am trying to highlight is the implementation, the affirmative action to help the Malays and bumiputra community economies.
"It has been more than 60 years since the policy was introduced but there are still Malays and bumiputra who are still poor.
"I urge Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to read my previous statements again and conduct a deep study on the implementation of the policy," he said after a food aid handover ceremony at Rumah Pangsa Permas Jaya here on Tuesday (Feb 20).
Hassan claimed that the implementation of the policy had been 'hijacked' and manipulated so that only the elite Malays and Sabah, Sarawak bumiputra were benefiting from it, he said making reference to certain high-profile investigations involving former leaders and their children.
"Some of these cases might have occurred years ago, but some have occurred recently, such as the Jana Wibawa case, which is supposed to help the Malay and bumiputra.
"Those involved in these cases are the Malay and bumiputra elites; they have rigged the system so that only they benefit from the policy.
"But the real Malay entrepreneurs and the Malay community in general are still poor and paid low salaries," he said, adding that there are also poor Chinese and Indian communities.
Earlier, Anwar said that the government will continue upholding the position and principles of the Federal Constitution, including the special position of the Malays and bumiputra enshrined under Article 153.
