‘Bumiputera did not reap full benefit of allocations under past govts’

KUALA LUMPUR – The Bumiputera community did not receive the full benefit from funds allocated by previous administrations, said Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli (Pandan-PH). 

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Rafizi pointed to Bumiputera agency Teraju, an initiative under the Prime Minister’s Department that aims to spearhead and coordinate the community’s agenda in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (WKB 2030). 

“Year after year, Teraju has been given a big allocation (by the government). However, parts of the allocated funds were not utilised under past administrations.

“Previously, Teraju was given RM100 million, RM200 million, but the amount which reached the people was far less than that,” the PKR lawmaker said during his winding-up speech on the Supply Bill 2023 at the committee level.

He added that his ministry is working together with Teraju to review the unit’s effectiveness, in light of the RM135 million allocated to it under Budget 2023.

“I’m not saying much on Teraju, not because we (the government) don’t have a Bumiputera agenda, but because we do not want a repeat of what happened in the past,” he said.

He also noted that there is a need to review the approach and philosophy of Bumiputera economic development efforts to ensure that the RM135 million allocation is effectively utilised. 

Earlier today, it was reported that the WKB 2030 has been replaced by the unity government’s Malaysia Madani concept as the main reference base in drafting the direction of national developments.   

However, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali (Papar-GRS) said in a written parliamentary reply that several initiatives under WKB2030 that are impactful and beneficial to citizens will be continued. 

Previously, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh-PN) had lamented the lack of Bumiputera-related policies in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s (Tambun-PH) revised Budget 2023, and slammed the government for discontinuing the WKB2030. 

He also accused the Pakatan Harapan leader of being unserious about assisting those in need. – The Vibes, March 14, 2023