Anwar Ibrahim stresses good governance in managing Bumiputera agencies and UiTM, saying resources must be used effectively to create opportunities.
SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned that every ringgit allocated to Bumiputera agencies and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) must be properly managed and protected from leakages and abuse.
He said the government had a responsibility to ensure allocations intended to advance the Bumiputera community were not misused by those entrusted to manage the institutions.
“I am more stringent in ensuring that every ringgit allocated to the Bumiputera agencies and UiTM cannot be betrayed or stolen by anyone,” he said at the Himpunan Mesra Alumni UiTM Bersama Perdana Menteri here today.
Anwar said good governance was essential to ensuring institutions established to benefit the community continued to fulfil their intended purpose.
He said the focus should not only be on protecting institutions based on race or community, but also on ensuring they were managed by people committed to good governance.
“We sometimes lose sight of this because our sentiment is only about our agencies and our community.
“We forget that what strengthens the agency and the community are individuals who are committed to doing the right thing.”
He stressed that the Bumiputera agenda should instead focus on ensuring resources were used effectively to create opportunities and strengthen the community.
“As I have always said, it is not a zero-sum game. I want to help the Malays because they are my people. I am proud of their culture and heritage.
“However, helping the Malays should not mean insulting others, belittling their role or denying their rights.”
Anwar said the government would continue supporting the Bumiputera agenda while ensuring that institutions such as UiTM were managed responsibly and their resources were directed towards their intended objectives.
