PUTRAJAYA: According to Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, a three-day Bumiputra Economic Congress will be happening soon, and it aims to formulate an economic strategy for the community to be promptly put into practice. The Deputy Prime Minister mentioned that the congress is scheduled to take place from Feb 29 to March 2, and will be presenting a resolution to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the final day.
Ahmad Zahid stated that the congress will encompass 10 clusters related to the involvement of the bumiputra community within and outside the economic field. The press conference was held at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry on Friday (Jan 5), where he disclosed this information. He also mentioned that the congress will be co-organised by the ministry he helms and the Economy Ministry.
Last December, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli expressed that a new bumiputra policy is anticipated to be unveiled during the congress. Furthermore, Ahmad Zahid disclosed that a chairman has been appointed for each cluster, with a secretariat geared towards ensuring the plans are brought to fruition.
“It will not just be resolutions on paper… we have formed a secretariat to monitor the implementation of the plans (by) phases,” he added. He also cited the establishment of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) during the first Bumiputra Economic Congress, highlighting its significant role in assisting the community. When questioned about the shutting down or merging of underperforming subsidiaries under his ministry’s agencies, he clarified that some of them had ceased operations and a management buyout was offered to the respective companies.
