The insolence of Senator Ti Lian Ker, the former Vice President of MCA, in the Senate and quoted in FMT news yesterday, is yet another attempt to bring in foreign narratives that seem to be used time and again to suppress the voice of certain groups. His outrageous statement, which called for the Government of National Unity to stop the tradition of holding the Bumiputera Economic Congress, is indeed disheartening. The Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM) strongly condemns this statement.
This politician’s remarks were made in a condescending tone, recounting his personal experiences of witnessing the Congress being held throughout his life, and sarcastically stating that it has brought no meaningful impact to the Malays and Bumiputeras from the past until today because, according to him, it only benefits the Malay elites and Bumiputeras. His words could sow the seeds of bad perception between races in the Malay and Bumiputera communities. Apart from that, the Bumiputera Economic Congress is being dismissed as an agenda of a backward crutch economy.
It must be clarified that the Bumiputera Economic Congress for Malays was initiated by the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia decades ago, even before the establishment of MTEM. Since 1965, the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia, in collaboration with the government, has implemented the Bumiputera Economic Congress, which, at that time, was chaired by the Malay elite class. The Congress was created as a platform for discussions to empower the Malay economy, marginalized by the British through their “pro-immigrant economy” policy. This fact should have been highlighted in his statement. Yet, instead of emphasizing it, his remarks triggered anxiety and discomfort as they revealed the bitter truth.
The Bumiputera Economic Congress has spearheaded numerous efforts to increase participation and boost the Malay economy in Malaya and Malaysia. If we observe today, the economic achievement of Malays and Bumiputeras remains far behind, with significant gaps in wealth and perceptions at home, especially across various ethnicities.
The Bumiputera Economic Congress has, since its inception, been characterized by intellectual discussions and targeted initiatives for national economic growth. Economic development from this Congress is not aligned with any political party or government faction. This initiative has always involved relevant authorities and implemented economic resolutions that demonstrate the Malay pro-Bumiputera movement. The Congress proved that Malays and Bumiputeras can grow and progress rapidly in economic development. Any effort to ridicule or belittle this movement will inevitably be rejected by the Malay and Bumiputera people. However, today, our Congress is ridiculed, and even the effort to hold it is condemned. Such insolence!
Thank you.
NORSYAHRIN BIN HAMIDON
Chairman
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