Kuala Lumpur - The Malay agenda must be pursued so that their shortcomings can be corrected to face the challenges of the next 50 years, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
At the same time, the Umno deputy president also reminded the other races not to deny the Malays their rights.
"When we are fair to others, when we don`t infringe on or deny their rights, no one must try to deny Malays their rights," he said in his winding-up speech at the 58th Umno General Assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.
The Deputy Prime Minister said championing the Malay agenda was the second motion adopted at the assembly after reiterating support for the initiatives and administration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at a time when Umno was readying for the next general election.
To those questioning Malay rights, Najib said: "They must know who the Malays really are. The Malays are polite, their insinuations not baseless, their reprimand firm, their retreat does not mean defeat, their courage knows no bounds, they appear gentle but are made of stern stuff.
"This poetic description of the Malays should be a reminder that the Malays are courteous as they are guided by Islam, and are willing die for friends, but their patience has limits," he said.
He said that in honouring the Malay agenda, priority must be given to ensure Bumiputeras achieved 30 per cent equity participation by 2020.
"The equity still stands at 18.9 per cent, as such, in the time we have left, we must ensure that Bumiputera economic growth exceeds market growth each year.
"If market growth is 12 per cent, Bumiputera equity growth must be at 15 per cent or more, only then can we achieve the target," he said.
Najib said that the Bumiputera Success Trail Scheme chaired by him expected five to 10 Bumiputera companies will be listed on Bursa Malaysia next year.
"The scheme`s committee is tasked with increasing the number of Bumiputera companies on Bursa Malaysia," he said.
Najib said the government would identify Bumiputera companies with good track records and with the potential to be listed on Bursa Malaysia but needed government`s help.
He assured that the criteria for selection would be based on the ability of the owners and not because who they were.
"If before it was maybe a lot of `know who` but now we want them to `know how`. If they know how to run their companies, we will help them to become big and successful," he added.
Source: www.bernama.com.my (10 November 2007)
