Bumiputera must have entrepreneurship to help Malaysia -- Ahmad Maslan

Deputy Finance Minister, Datuk Ahmad Maslan, said Malaysia could not become a developed nation if the core population were not entrepreneurs.

Ahmad, who is also Umno Information Chief, said a study of the races in the world showed that those who adopted entrepreneurship culture were the most successful, like the Chinese in the country.

"As the Bumiputeras are in the majority, they need to be helped so that they would not be left behind and be psychologically affected," he told Bernama here today.

He said this when asked to comment on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's announcement tomorrow of a comprehensive policy to spur Bumiputera participation in the economy.

Ahmad said the Bumiputera leaders would gather at Dewan Agong Tuanku, Universiti Teknology Mara in Shah Alam, Selangor from 8am to 1pm.

The function would start with a forum to discuss ways to strengthen the Bumiputera economy and after that Najib would outline and unveil strategies, including on shares, real estate and human capital, he said.

The information chief said the government's main objective was to help Bumiputeras progress so that they could be able to compete locally and overseas and ultimately to have a strong entrepreneurship culture.

"The efforts are being taken because the Bumiputeras are still being left behind in certain areas although successes have been achieved in other areas.

"The announcement is eagerly-awaited by Bumiputeras nationwide," he said.

He described the announcement as a 'gift' for the Bumiputeras who played a key role to help Barisan Nasional win the 13th General Election on May 5.

Ahmad said Najib, who is also Umno President and head of the government, had said the government would not forget the aspirations of those who had given their support.