PUTRAJAYA – The 2024 Bumiputera Economic Congress, scheduled to take place from February 29 to March 3, is open to all politicians, including those from the opposition.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the congress would not exclude those of certain political leanings, as the main priority was empowering the Bumiputera community.
“When it comes to (the matter of) the Bumiputera economy, we’re colour-blind (to political leanings),” Zahid said during a press conference after a pre-launch event for the congress at Perdana Putra, here today.
Zahid had earlier accompanied Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to launch the event, alongside Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
A number of other cabinet members, such as Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, were also in attendance.
Meanwhile, Zahid also said the congress would include discussions put forth by 10 main clusters, which include education and human capital reforms, strengthening the halal industry, the economy of Sabah and Sarawak Bumiputera, and the mastery of new technology.
“The chairman of each cluster is given a certain amount of time to present the findings of their discussion, and a resolution will then be presented to the prime minister for his consideration,” Zahid said.
He added that representatives from various Bumiputera sectors, including those from Sabah and Sarawak, would be involved in the congress, which will be held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
Previously, Zahid said that previous Bumiputera Economic Congresses had proven effective, including through the establishment of the agency Mara, which had played a significant role in assisting the Bumiputera economy. – February 14, 2024