BERSATU AGM | Bersatu will be devising a new bumiputera agenda which will truly help the Malays and bumiputera economically.

Party president Muhyiddin Yassin, in his opening speech at the party' second AGM in Putrajaya today said although there were many initiatives to help the bumiputera during the BN-era, most of them failed to fulfil their objectives.

He said institutions meant to help the buimputera such as Felda, Tabung Haji and Mara had been abused by Umno leaders to the point of near collapse.

According to Muhyiddin, 74 percent of those within the B40 category households with an income of RM4,360 and below were the Malays and the bumiputera.

"Among the biggest challenges for Bersatu is to prove to the Malays that their lives will be better under Pakatan Harapan's administration," he said.

"I will propose to the Harapan presidential council that the bumiputera agenda becomes the core policy for Harapan and that it is accepted by cabinet as a national agenda."

He stressed that the bumiputera agenda pushed by Bersatu will be based on an "equitable shared prosperity" principle and no group will be left behind.

National success, said the former deputy prime minister, cannot be measured by economic growth alone and must incorporate efforts to narrow the income gap.

In view of this, he said the bumiputera agenda should not only focus on poverty eradication alone but also strive to develop a professional bumi corporate and middle class.

'Have the courage'

One way to achieve this, said Muhyiddin, was to set up a database of promising young bumi entrepreneurs and bumiputera start-up companies involved in the digital economy, renewable energy, automated farming and fintech (financial technology).

"This database of legitimate entrepreneurs will allow the government to identify competitive companies eligible for government procurement projects," he said.

However, he said government help alone was not enough and the attitude of the Malays needed to change for the bumiputera agenda to succeed.

"Malays need to strive forward to improve themselves and be competitive.

"Malays needs to work hard, be disciplined and have the courage to take risks in various industries and new businesses.

"The government is ready to help but only we ourselves are capable of changing the fate of our race," said Muhyiddin.