PUTRAJAYA: Scheduled to kick off this Feb 29, the three-day Bumiputera Economic Congress (KEB) 2024 is orchestrated to widen the economic pie distribution and growing the Bumiputera's economy in line with the Madani economic framework, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
He said the government is looking at all the possible ideas that can be applied to further create more wealth for the Bumiputera society amid the high cost of living challenges, while at the same time tightening the fiscal reform.
"One message that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim put on the table is that it must be inclusive, so when you solve an issue such as poverty for example, you don't solve it for a particular risk but you solve it for the whole society," he told Bernama recently.
Amir Hamzah noted the issue of poverty could affect the Indian and Malay communities more, and by solving it, the government could at the same time find solutions for the whole society.
"I have a very simple philosophy that I like to put forward... how do I make the cake bigger rather than how do I slice the cake?" he said.
When officiating at the pre-launch of the KEB 2024, Anwar said the congress is expected to have cooperation and joint participation from the Chinese and Indian communities to help tackle the problem of poverty in addition to discussing issues related to the Bumiputera economy.
The Prime Minister also said that he would be inviting business chamber leaders representing the Malay, Chinese and Indian communities to provide their views and input so that KEB 2024 is not considered exclusive.
Meanwhile, Amir Hamzah said that amid the stability of the current government coupled with the strength of the local institutions, Malaysia would further ensure foreign investors of its long-term horizon.
"I think a lot of (countries) has been paying attention to us, so this year, as I said to some other groups when they come and see me, I said that this year it's not about dreaming too much... it's actually about executing what we have already said and making them happen," he shared.
He acknowledged that while sometimes the execution part may be difficult, but that is the path that could lead the country towards a better space.
"The clarity of the plan is there and needs to push it down the line," he stressed.
A total of 10 clusters covering 10 sectors will be established in KEB 2024, namely Education Reform and Human Capital; Institution of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (Main Career Choice) and Strengthening of Halal Industry.
Other clusters are Rural Development and Empowerment of Orang Asli Communities; Wealth Creation and Corporate Dominance; Competitiveness of Bumiputera Enterprises; Mastery of New Technologies; Felda and Federal Territory Land; Socioeconomy of Sabah Bumiputera and Socioeconomy of Sarawak Bumiputera.
The three-day congress at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here is targeting a congregation of 3,000 participants and will include representatives from the Malay, Kadazan, Dusun, Iban and Dayak business chambers as well as representatives from the Orang Asli community.– BERNAMA
