Perkasa blames PM for lack of business space for Bumis

Umno-controlled newspaper Utusan Malaysia said that many Bumiputera traders failed to secure places to conduct businesses at klia2. – The Malaysian Insider pic, June 17, 2014.

Malay right wing group Perkasa is blaming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for failing to ensure Bumiputera businessmen were given opportunities to do business at the newly opened Kuala Lumpur International Airport (klia2).

Its secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali said Najib's promises to Bumiputera businessmen remained mere rhetoric.

"The failure of Malay entrepreneurs to get business lots at klia2 is proof that all of Najib's promises over the last five years to enhance Bumiputera participation in business and commerce were mere lip service,” he said in a statement.

Syed Hassan said Perkasa had always expressed concern that Bumiputera businessmen should be given opportunities but that the issue of Malay traders being marginalised in klia2 was too glaring.

"Bumiputera traders are sidelined not only in klia2 but also at other new business and commercial centres like in KLCC," he said.

He said Perkasa's proposal to Najib that government-linked companies (GLCs) assist Bumiputera in business ventures had also fallen on deaf ears.

"The GLCs have not taken seriously the prime minister's repeated calls to help Malay traders," he said.

Syed Hassan also questioned the Bumiputera Economy Action Council (MTEB) which did not translate its many pronouncements into actions to benefit Malay businessmen.

"MTEB is chaired by the prime minister and where is the organisation now?" he asked.

Umno-controlled newspaper Utusan Malaysia had earlier reported that many Bumiputera traders failed to secure places to conduct businesses at the airport, which opened on May 2.

The newspaper reported that its assistant group editor Datuk Zaini Hassan had expressed concern that it was difficult to find Malay food outlets at the airport.

However, Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) dismissed the allegation and said that 40% of the businessmen at the airport were Bumiputera who were involved in retail trade.

- TMI