MP: Don’t ask how bumi equity calculated
The Star, Tuesday November 7, 2006
MP: Don’t ask how bumi equity calculated
A BACKBENCHER has told the opposition to stop harping on the methodology used by the Government to calculate bumiputra equity ownership.
Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN – Jasin) said the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department did not mislead anyone with its calculations.
“We are all working together for the betterment of all races. We never questioned Chinese wealth but how many among the top 100 richest Malaysians are Malays or Ibans?
“Do not say Melayu bolot semua (Malays take all),” he said.
He said this after Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang touched on the matter while debating the budget at the committee stage.
Mohd Said said the opposition should look at the overall picture and not continue to question methodology used to calculate bumiputra equity ownership and distribution just to hit out at the Government.
Earlier, Lim highlighted flaws and examples on why the EPU had lost its credibility and the public’s confidence.
He said the Government could no longer continue hiding the methodology used by the EPU.
“No one knows whether the methodology is fair, outdated or flawed as it is shrouded in secrecy.
“It is only with the publication of the Asli study that the public became aware of some basic calculations,” he said.
He was referring to the Asian Strategic and Leadership Institute study which said bumiputra equity ownership could be as high as 45%. Asli later withdrew the study.
Lim said the Prime Minister should establish an independent panel to review the current methodologies used.
