`


THERE IS NO GOD EXCEPT ALLAH
read:
MALAYSIA Tanah Tumpah Darahku

LOVE MALAYSIA!!!


 


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Poor Penang Malays want more

Penang Malay Chamber of Commerce says even though the Malays are the largest community on the island, they are also among the poorest.

GEORGE TOWN: The poor Malays in Penang are clamouring for more and if the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng keeps ignoring them, the island will have a long term social problem.

This warning comes from Penang Malay Chamber of Commerce president Rizal Faris Mohidden Abdul Kader.

He said even though the Malays are the largest demographic community in Penang now they are still trapped in the lowest income group.

Recent statistics compiled by the Department of Statistics shows that for the population census, the Malays account for 42% of the state’s 1.6 million population base followed closely by the Chinese at 41%, Indians at 10%, non citizens at 7% while other minorities at 0.4%.

However, nearly 60% of the Malay households are only earning RM3,000 and below, lower than the state’s average of RM4,000 while the community only owns 23.4% of the commercial properties here.

The Chinese own 71.4% and Indians 5.2%.of the commercial properties.

Statistics do not lie, the facts and figures are there for everybody including Lim to digest, Rizal Faris said in an interview.

“Our decision to speak out on this issue does not make us racists. We just want the state to pay more specific attention to the growing socio-economic disparity in Penang,” he said.

“We want what Lim as our administrative leader to act decisively to address the plight of the poor and not just keep on blaming others,” he said.

Rizal Faris said the blame-game can go on and on like faulting the New Economic Policy and the former Barisan Nasional administration.However, this will not make make this social problem disappear.

“These problems are real. Unless,the state government accepts it and finds ways to resolve it, the problem would continue to grow and there will be a perception of uneasiness among the diverse groups in Penang,” he said.

Not becoming a hero

He said many a times, the state has decided to impose regulations and policies without taking into account, the plight of the poor Malays.

“One cannot live on RM100 a year. We need sustainable economic policies and social security,” he said in reference to the state’s senior citizen appreciation scheme where those aged 60 and above, are eligible for a RM100 payout per year.

On why the chamber has suddenly become a social activitist, he said it was because many of his members have fallen into the low income category.

The chamber has about 600 members and 10,000 associates.

“We are not championing to become a hero. We just want the state to heed the socio-economic imbalances and work with us to correct it.” he said.

Rizal Faris said if the Malays’ income per capita here is found wanting, how can one expect them to support their businesses.

He said Lim is singled out as his party is the dominant one in the Pakatan Rakyat alliance, who are governing Penang.

“Some may want to politicise the issue but for the chamber, it is just the question of seeking the necessary attention, so the problem can be addressed and solved,” he said.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.