Adjustments to needs-based policies the way forward

The affirmative actions to restructure society under the New Economic Policy (NEP) had expired in the year 1990. Thereafter, after a round table talk under the National Economic Consultative Council, the New Economic Policy was replaced by the National Development Policy (NDP) which had shifted race-based policies to focus on development.   

However the spirit of the NDP was not highlighted as the ghost of the NEP remains. This coupled with the reluctance of the politicians and administrators to implement the NDP in words and spirit in place of the NEP had resulted in the continued race-based policies overlooking the more immediate need to bring the nation forward on a development or progress-based approach.

Race based policy was made with the background of poverty of Malays 60 years ago. After 60 years, we have successfully created a Malay middle class in the country. Race-based policies have performed its historical role and have produced competitive Malays. Now with most of the citizens (including non-Malays) in the middle class being on equal parring, it is time to adjust the policy towards need-based policies. If we continue to divide the people on a race-based approach, the nation will be divided further, thereby hampering its progress and development.

Today, all Malaysia new born citizens rightfully regard equality as their birth right and are less tolerant towards discriminatory practices. This is unlike the migrant thinking 60 years ago whereby there was a political psyche of superiority or privileges of which the Federal Constitution was drafted in that particular spirit for that particular time. Now that we are a matured nation, adjustments to a need-based is the way forward.

Dato’ Sri Ti Lian Ker
MCA Publicity Spokesman (English/Bahasa Malaysia)
MCA Religious Harmony Bureau Chairman

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