KUALA LUMPUR: The New Economic Policy (NEP) was never meant to benefit an elite class driven by power and corruption, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said much of the NEP had been misunderstood and misinterpreted.
“When Tun Razak formulated the NEP, its objective was clear. The Malays and ordinary people could not improve their position without targeted assistance to raise their standard of living.
“It was about empowering Malays who had the ability to become entrepreneurs and compete with other communities.
“That was the specific objective. It was quite a radical idea by the standards of the time,” he said.
Anwar was speaking at the “Remembering Statesman Tun Abdul Razak: Architect of National Development and Nation-Building” programme at the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial here on Tuesday (Sept 8).
The event is an annual effort to honour and highlight the legacy and contributions of statesmen to the country, and is also part of the 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.
Anwar also praised Tun Razak’s efforts to eradicate poverty regardless of race.
“Many young people today have forgotten that when Tun Razak introduced the NEP, he never departed from the principle of eradicating poverty regardless of race.
“I still remember his speeches and the discussions surrounding this.
“Tun Razak said, ‘Poverty does not know the colour of people’s skin.’
“And, at the time, the majority happened to be Malays.
“We must continue to explain this. While the NEP needs to be reviewed and strengthened so that it remains appropriate and relevant to current demands, it remains a very significant concept in terms of restructuring society and eradicating poverty regardless of race,” Anwar said.
“Unfortunately, in today’s narrative, it has become something that is often interpreted primarily through the lens of race,” he added.
