KUALA LUMPUR: The government aims to empower and enhance the capabilities of middle-income groups of Bumiputera, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said the move will allow the group to contribute and add value to the nation's economy through business development and income growth, rather than solely relying on permanent employment.
He said that while the middle-income groups of Bumiputera earned high incomes and are qualified professionals, their contribution to the economy fell short to that of their non-Bumiputera counterparts.
"Taking into account the current socioeconomic position of Bumiputera, the government is committed to restructuring the economy for Malaysia to become a leader in the region and ensure that the people can enjoy a higher quality of life in line with the Madani economic framework.
"This effort (to focus on middle-class income) will also strengthen competitiveness in various fields and sectors, with a focus on talent development scaling, increasing income and eradicating hardcore poverty.
"Hence, we need to encourage more professionals and middle-income Bumiputera groups to create value and shift from relying solely on government agency capitalisation," he said during the minister's question time in Dewan Rakyat, today.
Rafizi said this in response to Zahir Hassan (PH-Wangsa Maju) on the direction and approach planned by the government following Bumiputera Economic Congress 2024 (KEB) to further boost the socio-economic level of Bumiputera through various fields and sectors in order to remain competitive.
At the same time, Rafizi added that all outcomes and inputs from engagement sessions at the congress will be analysed to establish new directions and a long-term plan for Bumiputera empowerment.
He, however, said the long-term plan for a fresh and inclusive new agenda for Bumiputera empowerment will not sideline the roles of all ethnic groups in Malaysia.
"It (the long-term plan) will be formulated for the next 10 years and is expected to be launched in June 2024.
"This includes efforts to further elevate the socioeconomic levels in various fields and sectors to remain competitive."
The government recently organised KEB 2024 through Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) to set new directions, policies, and approaches for strengthening the Bumiputera empowerment agenda.
