Malaysia government officially practices a policy of positive discrimination that favours Malays over other races in many areas -- from employment, education, scholarships and business to cheaper housing and assisted savings.
Private companies must hand over 30 percent of equity to ethnic Malays and a portion of housing and commercial property must be sold to them
These measures, collectively called the New Economic Policy or NEP, were started in 1970 to reduce the yawning economic gap with the Chinese community, which dominates business in this country, as in most of South-east Asia.
Originally designed to last for 20 years it has continued without check, sparking envy and resentment between Malays and non-Malays.
"We need to appeal to the Malays, Chinese and the Indians and the rest that we need to go beyond race-based politics.
"If you continue to harp and support this racial equation, you will never be able to overcome racial divisions.
The experts say racism is too deeply entrenched in official policies and the socio-political system for such 'half-hearted' measures to make impact.
It might be a bitter pill to swallow but it tells us who we really are behind the facade we show the world.
Private companies must hand over 30 percent of equity to ethnic Malays and a portion of housing and commercial property must be sold to them
These measures, collectively called the New Economic Policy or NEP, were started in 1970 to reduce the yawning economic gap with the Chinese community, which dominates business in this country, as in most of South-east Asia.
Originally designed to last for 20 years it has continued without check, sparking envy and resentment between Malays and non-Malays.
"We need to appeal to the Malays, Chinese and the Indians and the rest that we need to go beyond race-based politics.
"If you continue to harp and support this racial equation, you will never be able to overcome racial divisions.
The experts say racism is too deeply entrenched in official policies and the socio-political system for such 'half-hearted' measures to make impact.
It might be a bitter pill to swallow but it tells us who we really are behind the facade we show the world.
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