YOURSAY | 'That achieves nothing but having inefficient bumis competing with inefficient bumis.'

Bumiputeras to get at least 30pct of Works Ministry contracts next year, says minister

Big Data: The nation has to move on to merit-based awards. It's long past its time for race-based economic growth in a global competitive environment.

Stop this spoon-feeding. The bumiputeras have to show their calibre with the rest of the citizens.

Otherwise, it will drag the nation down economically and we could end up behind Myanmar and Bangladesh.

We are already behind Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam (the countries which were far behind us 20 years back) because of our race-based policies.

Giant Pygmy: This is a smokescreen. I am sure that they have been getting more than 30 percent of the contracts already.

I am also sure that Works Minister Baru Bian is referring to tenders to private bumiputera companies and not to Sime Darby or Felda and so on.

It is ridiculous to say that the non-bumiputeras have been given 70 percent of the contracts all this while. Baru Bian, can you show us some facts and figures on this?

Fei Ma: Only 30 percent? I am confident that they will be given much more as time goes on.

They will borrow RM10 million to secure the job, then farm out contracts to non-bumiputera companies, which will probably get a small percentage of the actual value of the project.

In the meantime, the bumi businessmen will buy luxury cars, properties, go for expensive holidays and enjoy themselves.

Anonymous_cdb4fb5d: It has been always almost 100 percent for Umno-connected bumiputera contractors, consultants, etc, in all ministries and departments.

The government projects given to bumiputera contractors are always delayed by years. The projects will then be retendered, the cost doubles and the project will only be finished years after the proposed completion date.

This cycle is repeated year after year.

To make things worse, many of these contractors submit fake bank statements, performance bond and insurance policies.

The Analyser: Roll on Umno... and corruption.

It’s typical idiotic thinking that anyone would assume that applying a quota would make bumi contractors more competitive or more efficient.

If you want to help the bumi sector, do so by assisting them with the development of planning, budgeting and technological skills.

Don’t just hand them contracts. That achieves nothing but having inefficient bumis competing with inefficient bumis.

Proud Malaysian: The awarding of these tenders was abused by some politicians. Instead of presenting the contracts to the deserving bumis, they passed the tenders to their proxies.

Umno is still very much alive, and it has another name - Pakatan Harapan.

Why can't they give the tenders to the deserving contractors to save time and people's money?

Anonymous_1533094668: So, works minister, when you say "bumiputera contractor", do you mean Umno contractor? It appears to me that your disguised plan is simply to secure Umno support.

Please give the tenders to Sarawak bumiputeras who elected you. We will closely monitor your awarding process after this.

HanafiahPuteh: Make sure it's not just for the Malay and Indian Muslim communities.

Both have enough and more. Other deserving bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak should be awarded the tenders since this is in line with the Budget 2020 announced in October.

Hibiscus: Before awarding the tenders, the contractors must have a proven track record.

For those who don’t, they must partner with others who have a proven record, regardless of whether their partners are bumis or not.

Anonymous_be07867c: This is just trying to please the majority. Why can’t you educate all Malaysians to work hard and compete?

You're going back to the old BN ruling days. People should vote out this type of politician who still uses the race card.

Sarawak4Malaysian: Tycoon Halim Saad? He is getting a second bite at the cherry?

This is like going back to the bad old days when Mahathir and former finance minister Daim Zainuddin ruled the roost.

We are truly on the path to the past where cronyism and corruption were the order of the day. Halim could not handle Renong and UEM; the government had to bail him out.

Ubi-Wan Keledek: Great move. If I were the government, I too would continue to weaken the Malays' ability to compete and make them poor and easy to manipulate.

That's how the rich can hire a lot of poor ones to work for them.

Mission Accomplished: This is a relapse of the same old sickness. Special privileges to the bumiputeras should slowly ease away and not be reintroduced in contract offers.

Bian Baru, this is Malaysia Baru - it is time to bury you along with the old system for good.

Anonymous_1536078333: "The more we change, the more we remain the same." - Paul Simon

In the end, Harapan will please no one. Such a feeble government - so easily bruised and walking on eggshells all the time.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.