ASLI Clobbered Into Submission. So Sad.
The Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) said today that a report on bumiputera corporate equity which had drawn widespread criticism did not fairly reflect the 'true' picture of total equity ownership by bumiputeras in Malaysia.
Its president, Mirzan Mahathir, said that on re-examining the methodology and conclusions of the report, "Asli has concluded that there are shortcomings in assumption and calculation that led to conclusions that cannot be vigorously justified."
Mirzan also said that Asli deeply regretted the hurt and confusion felt by all Malaysians following the report by its Centre of Public Policy Studies on the bumiputera corporate equity ownership. "As the 30 per cent ownership of Malaysian corporate equity by bumiputeras is one of the key targets of the NEP (National Economic Policy), it is important to have a reliable methodology to measure the government's success in meeting the target," he said in a statement here.
The centre's report that the estimated bumiputera equity ownership in public-listed companies might be as high as 45 per cent of total equity traded on the Malaysian bourse had been disputed by many. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in commenting on the issue last Thursday, rejected the findings as baseless and inaccurate as several indicators used by the centre were irrelevant.
"This report and its reaction serve as a reminder of the unique qualities of our beloved nation. We humbly take all criticisms levelled at Asli with an open heart in our quest to improve ourselves in order to serve Malaysia better," Mirzan said.
He said that in its 13-year history, Asli had never projected an agenda other than to help create a better society through the promotion of strategic thinking and leadership qualities. Mirzan also said that the report was part of the centre's set of recommendations to the Malaysian government for consideration for the Ninth Malaysia Plan submitted last March.
"The report has ignited public debate on the subject which we hope will lead to a better understanding of the merits of the current methodology. All methodologies are at best good estimates of the true situation and due to the importance of the threshold to the public, should be as transparent as possible," he said.
**** Why am I not surprised by this apologetic retraction? It is symptomatic of the deep and serious malady afflicting this nation and a sad commentary of what an honest appraisal can result in. Reading between the lines I can sense the frustration of Mirzan Mahathir, as well as the immense pressure and coercion he must have been subjected to, in order to extract such a hurried and unjustified retraction.
According to The Sun: Sources said although Asli has officially agreed to withdraw the report, those involved in putting it together are standing by their work. However, they accept that the political reality left the institute no choice but to back down in order to stop the attacks on Asli.
Its president, Mirzan Mahathir, said that on re-examining the methodology and conclusions of the report, "Asli has concluded that there are shortcomings in assumption and calculation that led to conclusions that cannot be vigorously justified."
Mirzan also said that Asli deeply regretted the hurt and confusion felt by all Malaysians following the report by its Centre of Public Policy Studies on the bumiputera corporate equity ownership. "As the 30 per cent ownership of Malaysian corporate equity by bumiputeras is one of the key targets of the NEP (National Economic Policy), it is important to have a reliable methodology to measure the government's success in meeting the target," he said in a statement here.
The centre's report that the estimated bumiputera equity ownership in public-listed companies might be as high as 45 per cent of total equity traded on the Malaysian bourse had been disputed by many. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in commenting on the issue last Thursday, rejected the findings as baseless and inaccurate as several indicators used by the centre were irrelevant.
"This report and its reaction serve as a reminder of the unique qualities of our beloved nation. We humbly take all criticisms levelled at Asli with an open heart in our quest to improve ourselves in order to serve Malaysia better," Mirzan said.
He said that in its 13-year history, Asli had never projected an agenda other than to help create a better society through the promotion of strategic thinking and leadership qualities. Mirzan also said that the report was part of the centre's set of recommendations to the Malaysian government for consideration for the Ninth Malaysia Plan submitted last March.
"The report has ignited public debate on the subject which we hope will lead to a better understanding of the merits of the current methodology. All methodologies are at best good estimates of the true situation and due to the importance of the threshold to the public, should be as transparent as possible," he said.
**** Why am I not surprised by this apologetic retraction? It is symptomatic of the deep and serious malady afflicting this nation and a sad commentary of what an honest appraisal can result in. Reading between the lines I can sense the frustration of Mirzan Mahathir, as well as the immense pressure and coercion he must have been subjected to, in order to extract such a hurried and unjustified retraction.
According to The Sun: Sources said although Asli has officially agreed to withdraw the report, those involved in putting it together are standing by their work. However, they accept that the political reality left the institute no choice but to back down in order to stop the attacks on Asli.
posted by The Malaysian. at 10/10/2006 08:30:00 PM
3 Comments:
What's this "% equity ownership" fuss about? Our leaders are trying to confuse us about the % figures so that the Umnoputras/their BN cronies/their Chinese & Indian Tan Sri & datuks counterparts could continue to rob Malaysia with their Non-Ending-Policy.
The majority of the ordinary Malays, Chinese, Indians & Others continue to suffer. What "equity" they have? We know that the Indians are marginalised & most of the ordinary Indians are poor but the second richest Malaysian is an Indian & he holds the majority of the Indian % of equity ownership. So, the % of equity ownership by race is irrelevant. It's the majority ordinary Malaysian that suffer.
So, what say you, the "silent majority" Malays? When are you going to wakeup? The crooks of your own race (the Umnoputra) is making use of you to enrich themselve & their cronies.
I am not concerned about the numbers that whoever has declared, 19%? 30% or 45%. My worry is the money does not go into our people's pocket rather than into those priviledged one only. Non-bumis are not angry, they are disappointed. Bumis should be angry, they are being marginalised by their own people, if anyone has noticed the widening of income gap.
The point now is if after 50 years of ruling, UMNO still has the pride to say they have yet to achieve the target or they have only reach less 63% of the target, they have actualy failed big time!! Where have all the money gone to? UMNO is only wasting our time; they do not care about the people and the progress of our nation. To deny the finding of Asli is like asking the people to be cowed by the nose and let UMNO lead us without letting us know the direction. If Asli is wrong, BN should show what should be the right records , not just asking Asli to shout up.
But alas, Asli is just a paper tiger, now we see its tail packing tightly in between the legs. Asli should apologise to the public for the useless finding!
Of course, people, do ya trust UMNO? Do you think you still prefer them to rule without result?
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