cheahsoonhai

Ensure fair and proper allocation to take care of all

Cheah Soon Hai: Malaysia could set an example to the world

 
 

 
 

Press statement by

Gerakan Deputy President

Dr Cheah Soon Hai

 
 

 
 

12 November 2013

 
 

 
 

Regarding PM Najib's announcement that assisting the bumiputera's is vital in ensuring stability of the country, Gerakan Deputy President, Dr Cheah Soon Hai felt that the government should be looking after all races instead of just one who required assistance. With Malaysia being a multi-racial country, a needs-based approach will be deemed more appropriate.

 
 

Dr Cheah pointed out that wealth should be properly allocated through a needs based approach without taking race into account. Therefore it is not right if the government decided to allocate wealth along racial lines.

 
 

He said that if the government overly protects the bumis finance, this will only make them to be more reliable on the government, hampering their competitiveness in the process which is unhealthy for the country in the long run. Currently in the globalisation era, it is the government's responsibility to increase the competitiveness of the public to enable them to compete with the world in order to develop the economy.

 
 

"While we do not object the government's decision on assisting the bumis, it should instead be based on communities that needed help. If the government is determined on assisting the bumis, isn't that against the 1Malaysia concept? At the same time, this might cause racial polarization which is detrimental to the nation and affecting national unity." Dr Cheah stressed.

 
 

He continued that Gerakan realised that Malaysia's development is heading
a racial path whether it is education, business or financial aspect. This is unhealthy and moving backwards, the government should abolish the racial mentality policy and use a needs-based approach to benefit all races by guaranteeing citizens are able to equally share the wealth generated by development.

 
 

"I agree with what the PM Najib said that Malaysia could set an example to the world by demonstrating a modern, successful, democratic and open Muslim majority nation."