PM ABDULLAH WARNS ALL Quarters - REFRAIN From CAUSING Trouble; Keng Yaik ATTACKED for Insinuations on Transparency; MUSA HITAM: Stop PUBLIC Debate
Following are Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's response to the call by Gerakan to the Economic Planning Unit to disclose the methodology used to show that the bumiputeras' share in the country's economic pie was only 18.9 per cent.
The Prime Minister made the statement when asked by reporters upon his return from performing the umrah with his family since Friday.
Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who was also on hand to greet Abdullah at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base , Subang, warned everyone against making insinuations against the government as though it was not transparent in the issue on the economic equity owned by the various races in the country.
The issue cropped up when the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) claimed that the bumiputeras owned 45 per cent of the equity in the national economy.
The claim was later refuted by the government as a study by the EPU had recorded bumiputera economic equity holding at only 18.9 per cent, which prompted ASLI to apologise and retract its report.
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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah : "We want to do what is best for every Malaysian, not merely giving (something) to a certain group"
Every Gov't Policy For The Good Of Everyone, Says PM;
He said the present government, which was based on solidarity, cooperation, and constantly striving to do the best in the interest of all Malaysians, was not meant for one particular group only.
"We administer, we want to do what is best for every Malaysian, not merely giving (something) to a certain group. We have to look at the present situation as a whole... that is most important.
"Because the present government is a government that is based on solidarity, the existing cooperation was made possible because of the power-sharing adopted by the government," he told reporters upon his arrival at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base in Subang after performing the umrah in
The prime minister said the rakyat had confidence in the present government leadership representing all races because all decisions were made based on consensus.
"We think as a government that is responsible to all Malaysians comprising various races and religious beliefs... the rakyat must understand this," he said.
Abdullah said issues that touched on racial solidarity were sensitive and should not be played up, including among the media.
The prime minister said this when asked to comment on his open attitude which was said to have been exploited by certain groups to question government policies especially those pertaining to racial relations in the country.
He said if there were programmes implemented by the present government to assist the bumiputeras, it was because the programme had to be continued as it had yet to achieve its goal.
The New Economic Policy, for example, had exceeded its duration but its implementation was still being continued to restructure society and eradicate poverty, he said.
Abdullah said the government was also adopting an open attitude in explaining any particular issue or policy that had been implemented.
"If people dispute (the policy) we must have an answer. We will have no problem if we are transparent, what's the problem... we are not lying, we don't do that. "What is necessary for us is to give the government's reply, we don't want to shut them up, if we shut them up, they will always remain quiet and there will be dissatisfaction... this will lead to unrest.
"Openness in such matters is not something that will burden us," he said.
The prime minister said the Malays themselves, including the young generation, also questioned many things. "Not all the Malays are keeping quiet, but we are prepared to give our opinion in such matters and we hope they will not take extreme action," he added.
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Don't Try To Cause Trouble, Says PM
October 16, 2006 18:41 PM
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi: "Why seek explanation by insinuation? Why seek explanation by making accusations? "To whoever it is, whoever the case may be, Malays or non-Malays, do not cause trouble; if one wants to ask properly, do so properly.
"If people do good once, we can do so 10 times over. Once you do something bad, be careful ...'_"
SUBANG, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Monday all parties should not cause trouble but should seek clarification properly if they are unhappy with certain things.
The prime minister said the government would have no problem explaining the
methodology used in measuring bumiputera equity holding in the country if that was disputed.
"Don't insinuate. Why make insinuations? Insinuations, accusations bring no
benefits. If one seeks an explanation, ask properly. Why seek explanation by
insinuation? Why seek explanation by making accusations? That's not the way to go about it," he told reporters on his return from performing umrah.
On hand to welcome him at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base here was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Abdullah was commenting on a call by Gerakan to the Economic Planning Unit
to disclose the methodology used to show that the bumiputeras' share in the
country's economic pie was only 18.9 per cent.
Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik: "disclose the methodology used to show that the bumiputeras' share in the country's economic pie was only 18.9 per cent."
Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik had said that something was
not right with the figure because it had not shown any improvement since the New Economic Policy was introduced in 1970.
Abdullah said his remark was not targeted at anyone but was a general statement to all parties including the Malays not to try to cause trouble. He said that if there was a problem it should be discussed amiably to resolve it. "If the intention is to cause a disturbance, see what will happen. If one wants to ask something, do it properly," he said.
On the equity position of bumiputras that was still low, the prime minister said many Malay entrepreneurs were adversely affected during the last economic crisis that hit the country.
"During the economic crisis, the financial crisis, many were badly hit; many businesses and many Malay entrepreneurs had to close shop, many of those affected had piled up their debts so much so that they could not repay.
"That actually affected our position ... I hoped that the situation would keep on improving but that was not the case. Each time there was an economic crisis or economic recession, it had an impact (on the bumiputra equity)," he said.
Abdullah said the government had long-term plans and during that period various things could take place, adding that the increase in fuel prices had an adverse impact on the current efforts of the government. He said it was important for all quarters to face all these (problems) and strive to overcome them.
Asked about the possibility of any group trying to take advantage of the open policy adopted by the government under his leadership, the prime minister said people would always attempt to take advantage.
"People will take advantage whenever they can ... they will do so with an open policy, when restricted they will want to challenge demanding why (the policy) was restrictive, why there was no transparency today, why there was no freedom ... they will take advantage. "Those who want to cause trouble will take advantage (of the situation). When we are open, the trouble-makers take advantage ... it is the attitude of people to take advantage," he said.
Asked whether his statement was a warning to the group involved, Abdullah
said: "To whoever it is, whoever the case may be, Malays or non-Malays, do
not cause trouble; if one wants to ask properly, do so properly.
"If people do good once, we can do so 10 times over. Once you do something bad, be careful ...'____= = = =
Keng Yaik's Statement Questions Govt's Transparency
October 16, 2006 17:55 PM
Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin said Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik's statement calling on the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) to explain the economic methodology used in determining the Bumiputera equity ownership smacked of sarcasm that would only create more doubt on the transparency of the government which the party also supported.
"His statement will not help to eliminate the suspicion of the Chinese community, especially among the younger group, who do not understand
history, the consensus and formula that had been reached between the leaders of the various ethnic groups since the early days of independence in the
interest of national stability.
"As such, the younger generation were taken in by the statement made by
"Unfortunately, the Gerakan Youth movement had supported the statement and claimed that Indian youths also shared their stand," he said in a statement Monday.
Zainuddin was commenting on the statement by Lim, who is also Energy, Water and Communications Minister, who was reported to have said that an explanation on the methodology of study was necessary because Gerakan, a component party of the Barisan Nasional (BN), was of the view that something was not right about the figure of 18.9 per cent as it did not reflect a continued increase since the New Economic Policy (NEP) was introduced in1978.
Lim also wanted the EPU to release the figure on Bumiputera equity ownership since the NEP was introduced.
Zainuddin said although Lim had claimed he merely wanted an academic solution following the rejection of the report by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) on the 45 per cent Bumiputera equity ownership, it was easily perceived by the Malays as sarcasm that the government lacked transparency and sincerity in submitting a lower Bumiputera equity
previously.
The statement by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak on the matter accurately reflected the feelings of the Malays following the statement made by Lim, said Zainuddin.
Najib Sunday warned everyone not to try and accuse the government of not being transparent on the issue of economic equity between the various races in the country by questioning the study carried out by EPU. "The governmentis certainly transparent. The statement gives a picture as though the government lacked transparency," Najib had said in response to Lim's
statement.
Zainuddin said: "Dr Lim should not take advantage of the situation by fanning the flame and making it worse”."With his vast experience and involvement in nation building, Dr Lim should instead help to bring calm and not be a thorn in the flesh.
"Lee Kuan Yew's statement should not cause Chinese leaders in
issues."
The issue of Bumiputera control in the national economy had raised controversy when ASLI claimed that Bumiputeras had controlled 45 per cent equity.The claim was rejected by the government because the EPU study recorded Bumiputera's equity ownership at only 18.9 per cent. ASLI subsequently apologised and retracted its report.= = =
Musa Advises Discussing Equity Share Of The Races Out Of The Limelight
Suggesting that the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) would be a useful forum to discuss the issue, Musa said the discussion could also be conducted through other exercises.
"(Taking) this factor out of the limelight is very important in view of the current mood in the country whereby there are ever so many predators looking to grab issues that could turn into something emotional.
"And the emotions in racial terms need to be managed with care. There are ever so many political opportunists who are ready to grab the issue and irrationalise them and exploit them for their own political ends," he told reporters, here.
Musa was asked to comment on the issue of equity share of the races in the country after delivering a keynote address at the Asean Civil Society conference,
The issue of Bumiputera equity in the national economy became a controversy after the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) claimed that the community's share has reached 45 per cent. This was rebutted by the government as the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) had calculated the Bumiputera portion to be only 18.9 per cent. Asli later apologised and retracted its report on the matter.
Musa also suggested that the government invite relevant parties (Asli or other organisations and think tanks) to discuss the issue.
"If Asli or any other organisation still thinks that they have got something to contribute, they should discuss it. They must tackle this very quickly. The NEAC has been a useful forum in that the discussions and decisions are made out of the limelight," he said.
"All parties must be very careful when bringing up issues related to race and religion.
"I am personally not happy that this issue has been blown out of proportion. Indeed, I am really concerned over this issue. It has to be dealt with care in an emerging climate where politics seems to be coming to the forefront," he said. He said the explanation by Asli and the government had shown that their research methodologies differed. Thus, he said, if the methodologies were different, the results of the research would also be different.
"What needs to be done is simply this -- if Asli or all those who differ in their findings feel strongly enough, they should try to engage the government. I feel that the government should also try and sit down with them and resolve it out of the limelight," he said.
Meanwhile, Musa, who is chairman of the Asean Eminent Persons Group (EPG), said the group had covered 90 per cent of the suggestions on the direction of the Asean Charter.
posted by multidimid at 3:37 AM
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