Wednesday, April 12, 2006

CM: Seize chances to meet NEP equity target

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS

CM Datuk Seri Musa said concerted efforts are needed to ensure the Government's aspiration for Bumiputras to hold 30 per cent equity in business activities, as underlined in the Ninth Malaysia Plan, is achieved.

"We must work hard to achieve the target because at the moment we are still lagging behind. Programmes like entrepreneur development roadshows can assist as well," he said.

It was up to everyone to synergise efforts to ensure the target is achieved, he said after closing the roadshow on entrepreneur development and human resources organised by Puteri Umno Malaysia and Puteri Umno Sabah at Plumbago Hall in the KWSP Building, Sunday.

He said the State Government shared similar aspiration with the national leadership.

"We have created various facilities and programmes implemented by State gencies like Sedco, Sedcovest, Sabah Credit Corporation, the Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry and other related Ministries.

"All are focussed on development of Bumiputra entrepreneurs including women," he said, and advised Bumiputra entrepreneurs to start from the basics, learn, work hard and be trustworthy.

"When awarded contracts they should not ali baba or sub-contract it. It will get them nowhere and make it difficult for them to succeed. This is disappointing to the Government because we want the Bumiputras to learn and succeed by doing it themselves," he said.

ON the allocation of about RM100 million under the 9MP to develop customary rights land in Sabah, he said the matter would be looked into by the Rural Development Ministry and related agencies.

This is to enable development of beneficial programmes to the people especially those in rural areas

"The benefit will be for the Bumiputras and rural areas, especially those who lacked attention from the State and Federal governments. We will coordinate this seriously so that we can assist them," he said, adding it also supplemented the poverty eradication programme.

Musa, who is also Sabah Umno liaison chief and a Supreme Council member, commended Puteri Umno through its Entrepreneur Development and Human Resource bureau for holding the roadshow valuable towards enhancing the knowledge of entrepreneurial among its members.

"Obviously, sometimes we might not be aware of the services and facilities offered by government agencies like Mardi, Sirim, SME Bank and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs ministry among others," he said.

"Clearly, our Puteri are not solely involved in politics but also give chance to members to be involved in social and economic activities," he said.

Puteri Umno Malaysia chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad said the roadshow in Sabah was the sixth after Kelantan, Melaka, Kedah, Perak and Kuala Lumpur.

"We find many (of the members) have interest to venture into business but somehow lack the knowledge on how to go about it," she said, adding Sabah was the only State so far where the roadshow was held for three days.

Also on hand were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin who is also Sabah Umno secretary, Puteri Umno Malaysia deputy chief, Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, Sabah Puteri Umno head, Siti Hamni Hashim and other Puteri Umno chiefs from other States as well as senior Umno leaders.