Bumiputera empowerment continues in 13MP with needs-based poverty eradication
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan stated this effort ensures that no one is marginalised during the 13MP implementation period.
'In principle, the government has always abided by what is enshrined in the Constitution, as emphasis is given to bumiputeras and this will always be safeguarded,' he said when winding up the debate on the 13MP motion in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Amir Hamzah, who also carries out the duties and functions of the Economy Minister, stressed that poverty affects all regardless of ethnicity or religion.
He confirmed the government will continue to eradicate poverty regardless of ethnicity through comprehensive measures.
'The bumiputera affirmative agenda will continue to be safeguarded as enshrined in the Constitution, and poverty will be addressed in line with the implementation of needs-based policies,' he added.
The government remains committed to intensifying comprehensive development based on multiple dimensions to create equitable opportunities.
This approach aims to increase social mobility and the well-being of the rakyat through needs-based assistance.
'This effort will benefit all target groups in need, including bumiputera, Orang Asli, Sabahans, Sarawak bumiputera, as well as the Indian and Chinese communities,' he concluded. – Bernama
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New Straits Times
a few seconds ago
- New Straits Times
Bumiputera empowerment agenda continues in 13MP
KUALA LUMPUR: The bumiputera socio-economic empowerment agenda as outlined in the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA 35) continues to be emphasised in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said this effort ensures that no one is marginalised in the 13MP implementation, and at the same time, the government will continue to eradicate poverty regardless of ethnicity. "In principle, the government has always abided by what is enshrined in the Constitution, as emphasis is given to bumiputeras and this will always be safeguarded," he said when winding up the debate on the 13MP motion in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Amir Hamzah, who also carries out the duties and functions of the economy minister, stressed that the issue of poverty affects all regardless of ethnicity or religion, and the government needs to address poverty eradication holistically. "The bumiputera affirmative agenda will continue to be safeguarded as enshrined in the Constitution, and poverty will be addressed in line with the implementation of needs-based policies," he added. He said the government is committed to intensifying comprehensive development based on multiple dimensions to create equitable opportunities, thus increasing social mobility and the well-being of the rakyat through the needs-based approach. "This effort will benefit all target groups in need, including bumiputera, Orang Asli, Sabahans, Sarawak bumiputera, as well as the Indian and Chinese communities," he said. – Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Poverty reduction plan should be more ambitious, says economist
Muhammed Abdul Khalid says one of the 13MP's flaws is its low targets for reducing poverty and narrowing income gap. (Muhammed Abdul Khalid pic) PETALING JAYA : A targeted reduction of only 1.1% in the incidence of absolute poverty in the country shows a lack of ambition in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), according to an economist. For Muhammed Abdul Khalid, the objective to bring the rate down from 5.8% currently to 4.7% over the next five years was in sharp contrast to the government's objective to make Malaysia a high-income nation. 'We want to rank among the top 30 nations in the world (in terms of income), which is commendable,' he told FMT. 'On the other hand, we must also ensure that growth is inclusive.' At a talk organised by Kelab Belia Prihatin here on Aug 14, Muhammed had said that the government should focus more on reducing poverty and narrowing the income gap. 'Only then will we be a developed country, where everyone benefits,' he said. When tabling the 13MP for debate at the Dewan Rakyat on July 31, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had said that the target was to also eradicate hardcore poverty, which now stands at 0.19% of all households. Muhammed, who served as Dr Mahathir Mohamad's economic adviser during the latter's second stint as prime minister, also took issue with the RM15 billion increase in development expenditure to RM430 billion compared with the 12MP. 'That is only RM3 billion a year. We need to spend more on healthcare, education and housing. The government has announced plans to build a million new affordable homes over the next 10 years. 'How will this new target be achieved? Who will be responsible for delivering it?' he asked. Another shortcoming, he said, is Anwar's decision to ignore PR1MA, the previous government's affordable housing programme, despite pledging to build a million affordable homes from 2026 to 2035. He said another flaw in the 13MP is its low target for narrowing the income gap. 'Income inequality is not being treated with the seriousness it deserves despite it being one of the most pressing challenges,' he said. '(This is) made worse by the fact that lower-income groups continue to shoulder multiple taxes,' he added. He described the government's target of narrowing the rich-poor gap by only 1% over five years as 'extremely modest'. Under the 12MP, the gap as measured using the Gini coefficient was 0.390. The target under the 13MP is 0.386. For Muhammed, it is 'merely symbolic'. The average Gini coefficient in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is 0.315. 'If the government only aims for a marginal reduction, our inequality gap by 2030 will remain wide and far from the standards of more equitable societies. This is not good for the economy and rakyat,' he said. In 2020, the statistics department reported that income inequality in the country was higher in 2019 than it was in 2016.
Rakyat Post
2 hours ago
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Rukun Negara: Is There Enough Politeness And Decency Going Around?
Subscribe to our FREE The Rukun Negara (National Principles) is Malaysia's national philosophy, which was declared in 1970 by the fourth Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Almarhum Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Zainal Abidin following the 13 May 1969 racial riots. It was designed to foster unity and strengthen national identity in Malaysia's diverse, multi-ethnic society. These principles serve as a guide for Malaysian citizens in nation-building, social harmony, and loyalty to the country. The text in Malaysia's Rukun Negara mentions its Achieve greater unity in Malaysians. Preserve a democratic way of life. Create a just society where the nation's prosperity is fairly shared. Ensure a liberal approach to Malaysia's rich and diverse cultural traditions. Build a progressive society oriented towards modern science and technology. Typically recited at school assemblies and official events, the Rukun Negara always begins with a preamble that goes: 'Maka kami, rakyat Malaysia, berikrar akan menumpukan seluruh tenaga dan usaha kami untuk mencapai cita-cita tersebut berdasarkan prinsip-prinsip berikut' (Therefore we, the people of Malaysia, pledge to devote all our energy and efforts to achieving these ideals based on the following principles) The preamble is followed by: Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan (Belief in God). Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara (Loyalty to King and Country). Keluhuran Perlembagaan (Supremacy to the Constitution). Kedaulatan Undang-undang (Rule of Law). Kesopanaan dan Kesusilaan (Politeness and Decency). Image: Malaysia National Archive The underrated principle Referring to a Bernama According to him, a progressive society is not limited to technological or economic advancements, but also places high value on humanity to enable every individual to work together where beneficial relationships thrive. 'Surely, we do not want to shape a society devoid of human values, resembling soulless robots. Likewise, in social interactions, every word or writing reflects one's personality,' he said. Shazwan's views and words are linked closely to the fifth Principle: Politeness and Decency. Image: Institute of Strategic and International Studies A Rukun Negara 'Every person and every group should manage their affairs in a manner that does not violate morality. This morality abhors and condemns behaviour or actions that are arrogant or offend the feelings of a group' 'A citizen should not question the loyalty of another citizen on the grounds that he or she comes from a certain lineage. Polite behaviour also includes a high degree of morality in both our private and public lives' It's a good principle to follow, yet many still choose to ignore it The lack of morality and decency is evident in today's news headlines, and it doesn't take an expert to see it. Take for example, a recent case where a security guard picks a fight with a trained martial artist simply because he thought he was being recorded while he was bullying an older man. The security guard responded with aggression and provocation, while the martial artist used his skills to defuse the situation. Although to be fair, the security guard later publicly apologised for his behaviour. Just imagine: A full-grown adult man was behaving aggressively and making inappropriate remarks about someone just because he thought he got caught bullying an elderly. If he had just practiced the fifth Principle, there would not even be any elderly bullying in the first place. READ MORE: Image: MRT Corp In more recent events, a string of Malaysian flags being spotted flown upside down at certain establishments have sparked anger and online criticism, often leading to cyberbullying and persecution. As much as the anger is understood since it is the Jalur Gemilang being displayed the wrong way, it also begs the questions as to why every person's first instinct is to record or photograph the upside down flag and spread it on social media for everyone to demonise the person who hung the flag before finding out what really happened. A moral and decent thing to do would be to approach the owner of the flag and inform them to correct it. If the owner refuses to, or is doing it on purpose to disturb public peace, getting authorities involved would be the next responsible step. In fact, individuals who were quick to judge found themselves silenced after one case of an upside down flag at a factory in Melaka turned out to be a case of strong winds that caused the flag to become undone from its pole and ended up upside down. READ MORE: These are just a few examples of how a handful of individuals in Malaysian society today behaves. The Rukun Negara was created to foster unity in Malaysians, but it will only work if everyone practices it. Anything that is strong is typically built on strong foundations, and the fifth principle is at the bottom not because it is low in priority, but because it acts as a solid foundation to build on the rest of the principles further up in the list. In the spirit of the 68th Hari Merdeka, look to the fifth principle in the Rukun Negara and start being kind, respectful, and decent to your fellow Malaysians. Bersatu Kita Teguh, Bercerai Kita Roboh Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . 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