LOOKING AHEAD: Genuine multiracial firms to get government contracts

2007/08/20

LOOKING AHEAD: Genuine multiracial firms to get government contracts

KUALA LUMPUR:

Genuinely multiracial companies will be given priority in the awarding of government contracts, the prime minister said.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the joint ventures had to be bona fide with all parties sharing responsibilities.

"Only genuine joint ventures where every person has a role and works hard, shares in the profits and bears the losses equally, will be considered.

"I’m not saying there must be 30 per cent Bumiputera participation.

"Let the partners decide that for themselves, whether it is made up of Malay-Chinese, Malay-Indian, Chinese-Indian or even Malay-Chinese-Indian," he said at the 54th MCA annual general assembly at Wisma MCA yesterday.
The 1,738 party delegates responded with loud applause.

Abdullah had earlier stressed that Barisan Nasional believed in power-sharing, or muafakat.

"Power-sharing is an important principle in BN. We do not give 100 per cent to any one group. We believe in fair distribution."

"Ali Baba" arrangements, he said, were unacceptable.

"We once met a Bumiputera businessman who applied for a government contract but we discovered he was only a front for a Chinese company.

"Where mistakes were made in the past, now is the time to correct them."

More joint ventures comprising of the various communities should be set up, Abdullah said.

"I’ve always encouraged contractors to expand and go overseas. Create a truly Malaysian company and I will give you the support.

"If the public cannot share power at their level, we at the top will face problems."

Developing human capital was also one of the BN’s areas of emphasis, he said.

"We believe in enhancing human capital without discriminating on grounds of race.

"All our youths have a role to play in the country’s future, whatever their racial backgrounds."