KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to strengthen the Bumiputera agenda have been pursued more assertively, firmly and boldly over the past three years, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar stressed that under the current government, there is no room for elitist thinking that sidelines Bumiputera interests, as alleged by some quarters.
He said the government’s track record thus far clearly demonstrated that the welfare and rights of the Bumiputera community remained a consistent priority.
“That is why, within our framework in the government, there is absolutely no view that supports elitism or sidelines Bumiputera interests as assumed by some.
“In fact, I want to emphasise, and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi can attest to this, that over three years of the current government, Bumiputera programmes have been more vocal, more firm and more courageous than before,” he said.
He was speaking at the 60th anniversary celebration of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on Sunday (May 3).
On the government’s broader policy direction, Anwar said support for meritocracy did not come at the expense of opportunities for Bumiputera.
He cited a recent decision to grant automatic university placements to all students who achieved 10As and above, regardless of background.
“At the same time, 90% of Bumiputera students are still given opportunities in the matriculation programme. So, in debates, do not focus on just one aspect,” he said.
Anwar also criticised certain quarters, including academics, for allegedly constructing misleading narratives regarding education quotas.
He said the matriculation programme was initially established as a 100% Bumiputera initiative before the government introduced a 10% allocation to assist underprivileged non-Malay students.
In this regard, the prime minister urged all parties to assess government policies holistically and avoid creating a “zero-sum game” perception that could undermine national harmony.
