Non-bumi business leaders upbeat over ‘inclusive’ agenda

Non-bumi business leaders upbeat over ‘inclusive’ agenda

SHERIDAN MAHAVERA, RAHIMY RAHIM and SITI FATIMAH ZAINAL reporting from the Bumiputra Economic Congress 2024

NON-bumiputra business leaders hope that the bumiputra economic agenda will uplift all communities and synergise collaborations between all races, says the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM).

Its treasurer-general Datuk Koong Lin Loong said it is very encouraging that the Bumiputra Economic Congress 2024 has included the participation of non-bumiputra chambers and associations.

He said this was underscored by the speech by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the opening ceremony in Putrajaya yesterday, in which he said collective participation is necessary to drive the country’s economic growth as opposed to working in silos.

“It is very encouraging for other races to know the economic agenda in the works for the bumiputra. “We all have to work and be prosperous together, as mentioned by the Deputy Prime Minister in his speech that ‘Ali’ and ‘Baba’ must work together.

“I hope we can all advance together. Everybody has a role to play and the country’s success depends on the rakyat,” said Koong after attending the first day of the congress.

The Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) president Datuk Seri N. Gobalakrishnan said Ahmad Zahid’s speech highlighted the importance of reinforcing the government’s efforts to promote the involvement of the bumiputra at various levels of national development.

He added Ahmad Zahid also acknowledged the important roles of other races such as the Chinese, Indians, Dayak, and Kadazandusun for nation building which is also the aspirations of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“MAICCI is happy that the nation building through participation of all races is given importance in this congress,” he said.

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Nivas Ragavan said efforts to improve the socio-economic status of the people should include all Malaysians regardless of their race or religion.

“The government should have the genuine political will to ensure that the socio-economic conditions of all Malaysians regardless of race, religion and ethnicity are elevated through the mainstream economic agenda under the Madani Economy Framework to ensure sustainable economic growth,” he said.