Rave reviews for 12MP, but Ismail Sabri’s Bumi focus splits opinions

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR – The 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has received rave reviews from political observers, but his Bumi-centric policies have split opinions. 

While one analyst poured scorn on Ismail Sabri’s focus on giving aid along racial lines, another said the move to assist Bumiputeras is necessary considering that the group makes up the majority of those in the B40 income bracket.

Speaking to The Vibes, Universiti Malaya’s Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi said Bumiputeras continue to be left behind economically compared with their non-Bumi peers, hence, they require more attention.

He warned that should the government ignore Bumiputeras’ plights, it could lead to a wider income gap between the two groups, and noted that the community has a corporate equity ownership of only 17% today.

Despite the empowerment of Bumiputeras, he said, Ismail Sabri has not left out aid policies for poor Malaysians of other races.

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