Kota Sentosa rep hits back at DAP: 30 pct Bumiputera allocation about inclusion, not exclusion

Wilfred Yap (file pic)

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Sept 8: The Sarawak government’s decision to allocate 30 per cent of major State government projects to Bumiputera enterprises is not about excluding other communities, but about creating greater opportunities for Bumiputera entrepreneurs to participate meaningfully in Sarawak’s economic development.

In a statement, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap said the policy is consistent with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030) which lists social inclusivity as one of its pillars.

He said this in response to Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen’s remarks on his Facebook page, where he criticised the policy.

“Social inclusivity means ensuring that more Sarawakians could participate in development and benefit from economic growth. It does not mean excluding businesses from other communities,” he said.

Yap also called out to the Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) to explain why it objects to the targeted 30 per cent participation policy in Sarawak when the federal government, in which DAP is a governing party, also implements various Bumiputera empowerment and procurement policies.

“Federal procurement rules include specific categories where companies seeking Bumiputera status are required to have 51 per cent Bumiputera ownership and control.

“Therefore, DAP should stop pretending that targeted Bumiputera participation is somehow unique to Sarawak,” he said.

He also called on Sarawak DAP’s MPs to use their positions in the federal government to secure greater development funding and accelerate federal projects for Sarawak, including the upgrading of dilapidated schools and clinics, infrastructure improvements, and the fulfilment of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) commitments.

“The GPS Government will continue to focus on action, delivery and inclusive development. We want a stronger Sarawak where every community has opportunities to progress, while ensuring that groups requiring greater economic participation are not left behind.

“Sarawak needs policies that create opportunities, not political rhetoric that creates division. We should judge governments by what they deliver for the people, not by the number of press statements they issue,” he said. — DayakDaily