DPMM Proposes Government Allocate 70 Per Cent Of Contracts To Bumi Entrepreneurs

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- The Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DPMM) has called on the government to allocate 70 per cent of its contracts to Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

Its president, Syed Ali Alattas, even with 70 per cent of the contracts, the Bumiputeras entrepreneurs would ultimately only get about 14 per cent of them.

"This is because over 80 per cent of the costs of the projects will go to the purchase of materials and equipment which are mostly supplied by non-Bumiputeras," he told a media briefing here Thursday.

On the proposal by Malaysian Chinese Association president, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, that projects be awarded based on merit and not quotas, Syed Ali said this could be implemented if it was also practised in the private sector.

"To ensure equality among the races, the merit system must not only be implemented in the awarding of government contracts but also in the private sector," he said.

Syed Ali said Bumiputera contractors faced difficulty in getting contracts  from the private sector, which were mostly given to non-Bumiputeras.

"Under the 9th and 10th Malaysia Plan, the number of government contracts has been reduced and this has affected the livelihood of the Bumiputera entrepreneurs who depend alot on them," he said.

He said of the 816 Class A contractors registered with DPMM, only one third of them were active due to the difficulty in getting projects.

Syed Ali said Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, has proposed that a committee be set up to encourage young entrepreneurs from all races to participate in business.

"The committee, under Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, will have representatives from various racial associations," he said.

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