LETTER | We refer to the recent statement by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim that looking forward, the government policies should be needs-based and not race-based and we, the Sarawak Institute for Public Affairs (Sipa) fully support that statement. 

It has been a long time since such a progressive statement came out from a national leader and we urge all Malaysians to embrace the idea.

Now the big question is how to institutionalize it and make it into an official policy. 

Currently, too much of the nation’s wealth lies in the hands of a handful of individuals but it should be shared with the B40 group (irrespective of ethnic, and religious backgrounds) so as to improve their lots. 

Foremost is our education system, which is producing graduates who are unemployable as they lack the skills, technical knowledge to meet the requirements of the market. 

There are millions of foreign workers in our country gainfully employed and all these jobs could be undertaken by our own people. 

More worrisome is that these foreign workers repatriate their earnings home which is a drain on our country’s wealth and has a negative impact on our economy. 

A plan needs to be put in place to gradually reduce such dependence on foreign workers in Malaysia, even at a rate of five percent each year will enable creation of jobs for locals and will also ensure more automation processes. 

All these will improve our local economy, create efficiency and raise the salary level for workers.

Malaysia is a country blessed with much natural resources but not benefiting majority of the people now and much more can be done to improve the situation. It will have to start with the right policy that will not be based on race, religion and other considerations but focusing on skills, knowledge and capabilities. 

In simple terms, the tongkat must be discarded for everyone to compete at the same level and also for meritocracy to flourish. Together we can progress rapidly if everyone has a dream and works towards achieving these goals.

The writer is Sipa director and an entrepreneur.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.