Five measures to achieve ethnic and economic balance
KUALA LUMPUR: The 1Malaysia Foundation has proposed five measures to achieve balance between ethnicity and economic prosperity in tandem with the 1Malaysia concept.
Its board of trustees chairman Dr Chandra Muzaffar said how the issue of ethnic interests were addressed in the nation’s economic and social development would be a major determinant of the success or failure of 1Malaysia.
“This is why in our quest for 1Malaysia, there is a critical need to ameliorate the adverse impact of the ethnic approach,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The first proposal is to faithfully observe the equilibrium established in the Federal Constitution between “special position” and “the legitimate interests of other communities” in promulgation of policies and implementation.
The next is that the concept behind the first prong of the New Economic Policy (NEP) to eradicate poverty irrespective of ethnicity should be expanded to embrace the needy and the disadvantaged from all racial and religious backgrounds.
“In other words, need and not ethnicity should be the guiding principle in providing assistance in areas such as education and housing,” he explained.
Thirdly, the second prong of the NEP to reduce the identification of economic function with ethnicity should apply to both the private and public sectors and be implemented with regards to ability and excellence.
On the fourth proposal, Chandra said there should be concerted efforts to curb corruption, abuse of power and greed at all levels of society.
“Lastly, media practitioners, politicians, bureaucrats, business people, and indeed the influential stratum of society should be encouraged to view issues of ethnicity in relation to the economy from a more holistic perspective that takes into consideration the interests and feelings of others,” he said.
Chandra said the elements of the five proposals were already part of the agenda of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“The challenge before us is to make de-ethnicising the economy and enhancing justice for all, the agenda of each and every Malaysian,” he added. — Bernama
Source:
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/18/nation/5330308&sec=nation
