Championing Malay Agenda - "Umno Does Not Discriminate Other Communities," Says Najib. Is This Completely True?

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Sunday advised Bumiputera entrepreneurs to shed their old thinking patterns and emerge as new Bumiputera entrepreneurs who are able to stand on their own feet and not depend on mere handouts.

It would be more honourable and comforting when the new Bumiputera entrepreneurs emerge, having 100 per cent control of their companies and not having to seek 30 per cent equity in the companies of others, he said.

They should be bold enough to accept change by drawing up business strategies and not depend on contracts derived through direct negotiations with the government or through the "know who" concept, he said.

"Our people (Bumiputera entrepreneurs) prefer to go for direct negotiations. I have received many letters myself. And also has the prime minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi). If we only depend on the `know who' principle, life is going to be difficult," he said when opening the Wangsa Maju Umno Division delegates meeting here.

Najib said Umno does not discriminate against the other communities in its efforts to champion the Malay agenda because the other communities also contribute to the success of Malaysia which has earned recognition as a model nation and a benchmark for developing countries.

"We cannot refute Umno's deeds to the Malays and the nation, which are invaluable. The Malays need a quantum leap in terms of progress and merely running fast in catch up with progress is not enough," he said.

Najib, who is Umno deputy president, said Umno in the urban areas should play a role in places where it is unrepresented and where there are fewer Malay voters.
"Even when there are no Umno elected representatives, Umno's presence (in these areas) must be respected and the Malays, despite the smaller percentage, are the determinant," he said. Najib said this was because Umno had greater wisdom in garnering the cooperation of all the other communities in making Malaysia a model nation in the eyes of the world.

Najib also said that Umno members should ask themselves what they could do for the party and not the other way round. "I have heard people saying they have been in the party for 30 years and have not benefited in any way. You have also heard such talk. Such thinking must change. What we want is the spirit of the struggle and quality at all levels," he said.

He said the spirit of the struggle for the people, religion and nation must sweep through the 3.3 million membership of Umno and the spirit should be embedded in all aspects and not politics alone.

Najib said that in its struggle, the party should adhere to principles and moral values as these would eventually bring success. (Bernama)

***** While I agree with the DPM that Bumi businessmen should stand on their own feet and not depend on mere handouts, the question still remains who crippled them to the level of becoming tongkat-using rent seekers? Have they been naturally 'endowed' with this laid back mentality or has the government through various alms and freebies, turned them into ardent 'thirty percent' chasing sleeping partners and pseudo-entrepreneurs?

As for the assertion by Najib that "Umno does not discriminate against the other communities," I leave it to your good sense and discretion to either believe or disbelieve it.
Image - Source