Umno using NEP to raise racial tensions, says Anwar

Umno using NEP to raise racial tensions, says Anwar

Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT

MALAYSIAN opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has accused ruling party leaders of stoking racial tensions over plans to dismantle affirmative action policies favouring Malays.

Datuk Seri Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is a member of a three-party opposition alliance which made major gains in the March 8 general election, seizing control of four states and more than a third of parliamentary seats.

The alliance's plans to transform the New Economic Policy (NEP), introduced in 1971 to end social and economic inequality among the different races by giving an advantage to Malays, has drawn criticism from the ruling Umno, which led to a protest in Penang.

Datuk Seri Anwar said the opposition wanted to reform the NEP so that it uplifted all poor Malaysians, no matter what their race, and accused elements in Umno of inciting fear among Malays over the plan.

'I am...deeply concerned with the attempt being made by certain elements to stoke the flames of racial hatred' in the aftermath of the elections, Datuk Seri Anwar said in a statement late on Saturday. 'This vicious campaign is being orchestrated by a small number of very wealthy Malays and Umno leaders who are themselves guilty of squandering and abusing the NEP.'

All three opposition parties, including Parti Islam SeMalaysia, have endorsed the NEP reform plan, saying it fosters cronyism and corruption, and has neglected impoverished Malays in rural areas.

The policy, which gives advantages in education, housing and business to Malays, has been criticised as outdated and benefiting mostly an elite group of Malay entrepreneurs who enjoy preferences in government contracts.

Separately, Democratic Action Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said yesterday that the party hopes Datuk Seri Anwar can make a comeback as a Member of Parliament as soon as possible and help transform Malaysia into a healthy functioning democracy.

Datuk Seri Anwar will be able to hold political office after April 15, when the restriction on him to contest in elections and hold political positions is lifted after he was convicted of corruption in 1999.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, BERNAMA



Comments:


Why PKR,DAP,PAS & West Malaysians are still dreaming ? ....Lost focus ?

Why MCA, Gerakan, MIC, PPP, PBB,PRS still hiding the 'Truth' ?

Look like Sabahans know what is the " Truth".

> Someone from Sabah talk sense..... Repeat for reference only.

1)...Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said he was puzzled why the NEP was still an issue when it had been replaced by the

>'National Development Policy'(NDP)...

> TUN DR M launched the "NDP" which year ? I forgot the year ,do you remember ?

2)...“so called cancellation of the NEP” was completely redundant because it no longer existed and it was equally disappointing that Penang Umno was still harping on a non-existent policy.

3)...no wonder that some politicians both from ruling and opposition have lost focus on which policy to talk about,”


Bravo, Sabahans dare to speak out.

Syabas. Barisan Rakyat.