STOP QUESTIONING NEP, NOW TIME FOR FULL IMPLEMENTATION

(Malaysia), Nov 17 (Bernama) -- The United Malays National
Organisation (Umno) vice president Ali Rustam said all disputes on the New
Economic Policy (NEP) should end because now was the time to implement it in full.


The United Malays National Organisation, or UMNO, is a right-wing party and
Malaysia's largest political party; a founding member of the Barisan Nasional
coalition, which has been Malaysia's ruling political party since
independence.

He said although the policy was seen as an effort to help lift the economic
status of Bumiputeras (son of soil), it also benefited others.

"Presently, Bumiputera achievement is still low and they are under pressure
because the NEP has yet to show its impact on the Bumiputeras.

"Now is the time to uplift the economy of the Malays and Bumiputeras and
not to question the policy," he told reporters after opening the Malay
Contractors Cooperative Malaysia annual meeting here Sunday.

Ali who is Melaka Chief Minister, said many fields should also be developed
and the policy did not focus on just one.

Meanwhile, he also suggested to the cooperative to set up a company which
supplies bulding materials to its members. The government would not hesitate to
channel aid to the company which would indirectly benefit the Bumiputeras, he
said.

"It is just a suggestion. It is up to the cooperative to carry it out. On
the part of the government, we can help maybe in terms of expertise in managing
the company," he said.

-- BERNAMA