Guidelines For Distributive Trade - Economic Apartheid.

I don't know if this is of any consolation to those directly affected. In fact I'm not sure if you can even give it any credence as it is probably some form of preliminary damage control before the 'big bang'. According to Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal, the guidelines for companies in distributive trades, whose objectives, among others, is to control businesses where at least 15 per cent of the equity is owned by foreigners, are still only at the preliminary stage.

Tuesday, a local newspaper published a report where the MCA Youth Economic Bureau expressed dissatisfaction on the guidelines, which required Bumiputeras to have 30 per cent equity in the overall equity structure in the companies while the composition of directors and workers should reflect the country's multi-racial society.

The guidelines had created a controversy and uneasiness among manufacturers who felt that they would affect retail trading, especially that of young entrepreneurs.

"Bumiputera equity has to be safeguarded. Whoever is not satisfied should clearly say what they are not happy about," said Shafie.

It is all very nice for Shafie to say, "if you're not satisfied then tell us what you are unhappy about". If we say that what is terribly unfair is the unreasonable demand that we continue to give some of these undeserving bumis a free breakfast, lunch and dinner, and while we toil and sweat to succeed, this lazy lot wants to hang on to our coattails and expect a share of our profits for doing absolutely nothing, then you will term us as anti-national and claim that the we are guilty of sedition! If you in the government had a heart, a conscience and a little brains, then you'll know exactly what the unhappiness is all about.

After all this you even have the gumption to demand that we raise the flag to show our gratitude!!