SOCIAL media content creator Khairul Aming is a great example of a successful bumiputra businessman.
It took him a mere three minutes and 39 seconds for him to make a record breaking RM1.2mil by selling his products on social media.
His name, along with Les Copaque and Animonsta, was mentioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the closing ceremony of the Bumiputera Economic Congress (KEB) 2024, as the PM wanted more Malaysians to follow their creative footsteps.
Among the resolutions was the new RM1bil Bumiputra entrepreneurship fund, which has attracted quite a buzz among the political circles after the congress.
Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who is also an Umno supreme council member, believed that the announcement was purely to empower the bumiputra community.
He added that it also sends a signal that the unity government puts a strong focus on the community.
Ahmad Shabery then said that the bold measures adopted by the unity government would further protect the interest of the Malays and the bumiputra community.
"Previously, our critics have accused the unity government of side-lining the Malays and bumiputra community, but we clearly, we can see that it is not true.
"At the same time, we are also protecting the other races," said Shabery.
Mara, he added, remains a key agency to help the Bumiputra and had been further strengthened.
Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi touted the success of the congress, saying that more than 70 resolutions to empower the Bumiputra socio-economic development via the "bottoms-up" approach as well as engagements since December last year.
He welcomed the prime minister's announcements, saying that it will give a huge impact towards the community's empowerment.
The Prime Minister has also given his commitment that the findings and resolutions of the congress will be translated into the direction of the New Empowerment Agenda for Bumiputeras in the next ten years.
"In addition to the TVET empowerment agenda, the Madani Housing Scheme on Malay reserved land with a target of developing 2,500 units of affordable housing in the immediate term is also seen as an important takeaway from this KEB," said Asyraf, who is also Umno's secretary-general.
According to sources, there was a closed door session earlier last month regarding the current political scenario and to gauge Umno's popularity.
Their survey showed that there is a need to do more, especially to attract more Malay voters or risk having a bleak outlook for the 16th general election.
A PKR leader, who declined to be named, said that he was grateful that there were no shouts of "Hidup Melayu" or anything sensitive during the congress.
He said the resolutions presented at the Congress will help Umno's and his party's image among the Malays.
"We understand the perception outside and we want to send a message that the unity government wants to protect the Bumiputra community without hurting the other races' feelings," he said.
Tan Sri Noor Azlan Ghazali, who was among the panellist and key figure at the Congress, said the most important step is, "what is next is surely vital for the Bumiputra".
He stressed the importance of properly monitoring all the resolutions as well as the announcements made by the government.
Whether it's infrastructure development or affirmative initiatives or any kind of reforms, it is important that these projects that are funded by taxpayer money are monitored closely.
Without proper monitoring mechanisms in place, such initiatives, that are meant to serve the public interest, will be doomed to fail.
