MALAYSIA'S MALAYS CAN'T OVERRELY ON GOV'T: PM NAJIB

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak says Malays of the 21st century should achieve success in all fields without too much help and protection from the government and should have the capability and ability to reach their goals.

"If we want to be a respected and esteemed race, then we should not depend too much on the government but instead show the confidence and courage to succeed.

"The characteristics of 21st century Malays are those who succeed not because of this protection, but because of knowledge, thinking and sharp minds. This is the change we need," he said when launching the United Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM) at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang near here on Thursday.

MTEM is a platform for Malay economic non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to unite and become more effective through fostering sustainable economic development in the country and among the Malay community.

Najib said challenges in the 21st century would be great and the Malays need
to brace themselves to face them.

He said the Malays also need to forge closer cooperation with the
government because their future is closely linked to the fate of the existing
government.

"In ensuring the success of the Malays, we cannot take the rights of others
but the Malays need to use the political power of the current government.

"For example, when carrying out the MRT project, we decided that 43 per cent
of the project is given to Bumiputera entrepreneurs and companies. This way we
do not take the rights of others," he said.

The Prime Minister said it is time for Malay NGOs to act with determination
so that the demands of the Malays could be looked at clearly.

"We cannot leave all this to the government, but need to strengthen
individuals and NGOs which will act as the frontline to obtain what the Malays
should have," he added.

The MRT is a mass rapid transport system in the Klang Valley/greater Kuala
Lumpur conurbation. Bumiputeras refer to the Malays and other indigenous groups
in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA