It is a baseless and racist statement for Moehamad Izat Emir to say that the economy of Malays will be disrupted if DAP is trusted.

DAP Assistant National Publicity Secretary Zairil Khir Johari said this in response to the statement by the President of the Association of Malay Traders and Entrepreneurs (Persatuan Pedagang dan Pengusaha Melayu Malaysia / Perdasama).

Zairil said that DAP has been consistent in implementing government policies which are competent, accountable, and transparent in the last four years since it has been governing Penang.

No race or group has been left out in the progress and improvement of Penang. The Pakatan Rakyat government’s ability and success has been acknowledged by the Auditor General’s Report for the past few years.

“How can the implementation of accountability and transparency be a threat to Malays? This illogical argument is only used by certain parties who lack the ability to compete due to their reliance on the crony economy system and benefits obtained from corruption.

Zairil pointed out that since the Pakatan Rakyat government implemented the open tender system for all government contracts in Penang, more than 70 per cent of governmental contracts were awarded by a fair and transparent process to Malay contractors.

“This proves that Malay contractors have been empowered and are able to compete without relying on ‘political cables’ as was the case when the Barisan Nasional government was ruling Penang,” Zairil said.
Zairil said, clearly the statement by Moehamad Izat Emir that supporting DAP would lead to Malays’ economic downfall, is only in reference to cronies of UMNO and BN and would have no effect on hardworking Malays who are genuinely trying to earn an honest living.Penang’s Equitable Economic Agenda (Agenda Ekonomi Saksama / AES) is an inclusive framework where all surplus gains of the state from prudent saving are channelled back to the people regardless of race or creed. This is achieved by financial assistance program for the poor, senior citizens, single mothers, students, and other needy groups.

In fact, Penang has been the first state to eradicate hardcore poverty and by 2013, it plans to wipe out poverty in the state totally.

“It is absurd and ridiculous to say that a development model that assists the lower income groups is a threat to Malays,” said Zairil.

“Where is the justice when many Malays and Bumiputeras are among the poorest in the nation, while UMNO and BN leaders are living lavish lifestyles, such as the Chief Minister of Malacca who recently invited 130,000 guests for his son’s wedding, and the Chief Minister of Sarawak who allegedly is worth tens of billions of ringgit?”

Clearly, support for UMNO and BN will only benefit cronies and corrupt leaders, while the  common people languish in poverty. Instead, putting trust in DAP and Pakatan Rakyat will uplift and empower every community including the Malays.-The Rocket