NOW IT’S BUY MALAY FIRST: ‘ENHANCE THE ECONOMY OF YOUR RACE’ – EX-MALACCA MB RAHIM THAMBY TELLS ‘BUMI’ WOMEN

THE Federation of Malay Economic Bodies (Gabem) wants Malay women to assert their purchasing power by prioritising Bumiputera products.

Its chairman, Rahim Thamby Chik, said a three-year global study by NBC Universal: “The High Heeled Warrior” found that women held more than 80% of purchasing power.

“The perception of their purchasing power needs to change to enhance the economy of their race,” he said at the ‘Consolidation of Malacca Bumiputera Women Purchasing Power’ programme launched by Melaka Chief Minister  Idris Haron  Malacca yesterday.

Rahim, who is also former Malacca chief minster, said Gabem would reach out to the grassroots to enhance the Bumiputera economy by instilling patriotism and awareness on the need to buy Bumiputera products, instead of imported products.

Also present were State Women, Family Development and Welfare Committee chairman  Latipah Omar and Malacca Muslim Women’s Welfare Board Malaysia chairman Zabedah Abdullah.

He said although numerous incentives and assistance were provided by the government to boost the economy of Malays, it would fail to bring benefit if negative values were still strongly practised by society.

Meanwhile, Idris added if the Bumiputera women’s purchasing power was maximised, it would indirectly empower Bumiputeras.

– Bernama