MEDIA STATEMENT
MASA COMMITTED TO EMPOWERING BUMI AGENDA TOWARDS A MORE INCLUSIVE FUTURE
28 FEBRUARY 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Institut Masa Depan Malaysia (MASA) is deeply concerned with the mounting economic challenges still facing the Bumiputera community, including persistent equity ownership gaps, high graduate unemployment rates and the widening income disparities between ethnic groups in this country. These issues underscore the urgent need for stronger policies and more effective approaches to safeguard the economic well-being of Bumiputera.
The Wacana Masa Depan Ekonomi Bumiputera forum held today, revealed the latest and critical research findings which confirmed an alarmingly low Bumiputera asset ownership and participation in high-income sectors. This situation calls for urgent measures to be mapped out to strengthen existing policies and develop more viable programmes for their economic well-being.
Despite the successes of the New Economic Policy (NEP) from 1971 to 1990 which significantly reduced poverty and increased Bumiputera participation in the industrial sector, significant challenges persist, particularly in reducing income disparities, increasing Bumiputera equity ownership and strengthening their micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the national level.
Statistics indicate high unemployment rate among the Bumiputera, especially graduates, while the majority of those employed earn lower wages and have limited involvement in high-skilled or professional sectors. The income gaps between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera continue to widen over the past decades while Bumiputera businesses economic contributions remain gravely lower, whether in big or small enterprises.
MASA chairman, YB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, speaking at the forum held at PAUM Clubhouse, Universiti Malaya, emphasised the need to reassess Bumiputera economic empowerment strategies to ensure they were more comprehensive and inclusive. He also expressed concerns about the lower targets set for Bumiputera MSME contributions under the Pelan Transformasi Ekonomi Bumiputera 2035 (PuTERA35) as compared to Wawasan Kemakmuran Bersama 2030 (WKB2030), raising questions about the government’s commitment to enhance Bumiputera economy. As such, he stressed a more holistic approach should be outlined to enhance Bumiputera access to socioeconomic opportunities and increase their participation in high-skilled sectors to accelerate the development of sustainable competitiveness.
MASA is committed to strengthening existing policies and serving as a check-and-balance mechanism for effective implementation of government policies toward a more sustainable Bumiputera economy. In line with this aspiration, MASA will continue to drive high-impact initiatives, including organising similar forums as a crucial platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by Bumiputera. The insights gained from such discussions will provide constructive recommendations and shape a new direction in designing more effective policies to drive economic progress.
Accordingly, MASA welcomes the participation and collaboration of all relevant stakeholders in strengthening the Bumiputera empowerment agenda. Through in-depth discussions and research-based solutions, we can build a more competitive and inclusive Bumiputera economic ecosystem for a more prosperous future.
AZRIL MOHD AMIN
Chief Executive Officer
Institut Masa Depan Malaysia
