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20 Demands On South Johore Economic Region
by ProWaris Media
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 August 2007 :
The Malay Professional Organisation (ProWaris) and
the Malaysian NGOs Council (MAPAN) had recently
handed 20 demands on South Johore Economic Region
also known as the Iskandar Regional Development (IDR)
to Datuk Sri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Prime
Minister of Malaysia.
The document comprises of not less
than 70 pages in Malay and English was presented
based on professional analysis on IDR's
Comprehensive Development Programme (CDP), Iskandar
Regional Development Authority (IRDA) Act 664 and
other public information.
ProWaris, the leading NGO that is
responsible for the study on IDR, supports Abdullah
Badawi's efforts in developing projects that have
significant positive impact on the Malaysian
economy. "It is important for Malaysia to embark on
national projects such as IDR to position itself to
gain benefit from the existing China-India economic
growth. Nevertheless, we believe that the policies
set by the Malaysian Government need to be reviewed
and strengthen to preserve the sanctity of Islam, to
protect the interests of the Malays as well as the
security of Malaysia, as a sovereign and independent
nation".
Feriz Omar said to the International
Medias today, "Malaysia is not a monogamous nation.
It is a country that provides food and shelters for
Malays, Chinese and Indians who are today living in
harmony due to the implementation of National
Economic Policy (NEP). Since the early days of its
implementation, the economic imbalance between the
Malays and the rest of the races still shows a large
disparity". NEP was introduced after the 13 May
1969 racial tension by Barisan Nasional, Malaysia's
ruling party since the last 50 years.
In 2006, Economic Planning Unit of
the Prime Minister's Department showed bumiputera
equity ownership of 18.9% way behind NEP's target of
30%. "We are of the view that the IDR policies
need to be in line with NEP in prioritising the
Malays' interests in all economic aspects such as
the percentage of equity in business and property
ownerships as well as employment, as we believe that
this is the only formula to achieve NEP's target and
the only insurance to ensure that the three races
live in harmony" he said.
Feriz who is also an economist and an
investment banker by profession said "Investors in
IDR need to realise that their main objectives are
to gain high investment returns as well to ensure
that their investment is safe at all time. In
achieving these objectives, investors need to be a
"party" who is also responsible to address the
economic imbalance issue in order to sustain the
most important asset of Malaysia, that is the
political stability of the nation".
In addition to this, ProWaris has
also advised the Prime Minister to amend some major
IDR's rules and regulations in line with the Federal
Constitution. "We have studied the governing rules
under IRDA Act 664 and found certain sections under
the said Act to be inconsistent with the Federal
Constitution and portray a wrong image and
perceptions of democratic practices in Malaysia" he
said.
He added "If the Malaysian Government
wants its citizens to regard IDR as a National
Agenda that could deliver phenomenal economic
results to the country, IDR has to be supported by
all levels of societies in Malaysia. In this case
too, the Malaysian Government need to restore the
wrongful image and perceptions immediately
otherwise, it will give room for the opposition
political parties to exploit in the coming
elections". The Malaysia's national election is
expected to be either in the first or second quarter
of 2008 and should Barisan Nasional repeat 2004
feat, Abdullah Badawi will retain his seat as the
premier for the second term.
ProWaris President informed, "The
document also covers the important fact that
Malaysia is a Muslim nation and therefore,
ProWaris-MAPAN has asked the Government to
strengthen certain policies to ensure that foreign
investors need to adapt and adhere to respect Islam
as national religion and a way of life".
In responding towards Lee Kwan Yew's
various statements on IDR, Feriz said "Mr Lee is
missing the main picture here. Malaysia is
attracting the corporate and business communities
based in Singapore to invest in IDR and not the
Singapore Government. The Singapore's Senior
Minister is not a critical success factor indeed".
In his final note Feriz said, "Our
arms are wide open and welcome investors from
Singapore. However, we believe that the Malaysian
citizens would give totally a different reaction and
perception towards IDR should the Malaysian
Government led by Datuk Sri Abdullah divert and put
more effort in bringing investors from other regions
such as from Middle East as compared to investors
from Singapore. It would be culturally,
religiously and politically correct" he ended with a
smile.
The International Medias were
informed that ProWaris-MAPAN's 20 Demands will be
handed to HRH the King of Malaysia, HRH the Sultan
of Johor and the Rulers Council next week.
PROWARIS MEDIA UNIT
8 August 2007 | 24 Rejab 1428H
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