English 
Malay By: Dr. Lee Hwok Aun
Organisation/ Individual: –
Policy Code: 3e Economic Justice
Problem Statement and Current Policy:
Malaysians yearn for a socioeconomic system that looks out equally for all, that helps the needy regardless of identity. We also welcome policies that promote participation, capability and diversity. This moment presents an opportunity for national policy to provide clarity on these objectives, and to align programmes in a systematic and constructive manner. The principle of “need-based” assistance resonates widely, but the discourses are often clouded and cause undue polarization because we fail to specify the practical operations and limits of “need-based” policies. Likewise, group-targeted programmes – favouring Bumiputeras, Indian, Orang Asli or women – involve specific interventions that must be clarified and recognized continual priorities and challenges. A systematic and productive reset to Bumiputera development is timely and vital, anchored on capability and participation. Driving the agenda by these precepts bolsters the prospect of effective and sustained progress. Moving forward also entails positively putting in place appropriate incentives, support systems, and graduation mechanisms.
Value(s) and Belief:
A new framework that A. Safeguards equality in basic rights, dignity, and well-being, through universal provision of basic needs and decent living standards for all, regardless of identity B. Promotes participation, capability and diversity in a fair and productive manner, mainly through group-targeted, special measures that based on appropriate balance of identity, need, and merit
Proposal of Solution and Call for Action:
Reformulate the pillars of inclusive development, based on (A) equality and (B) fairness: A. Provision of basic needs and decent living standards to all, based on the principles of equality and dignity, and rights. These policies specifically involve: basic schooling (primary and secondary), public health services, nutrition, social protection, shelter, basic income and decent work conditions. Special attention should be accorded to: 1. Addressing practical necessity and people’s demands for not just basic provision but higher quality of services and healthier work-life balance 2. Highlighting that specific disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalized groups warrant assistance for attaining basic needs. Among these are the urban poor, poor Indian communities, Orang Asli, Sabah and Sarawak natives, female-headed households, etc. 3. Disbursement of public funds and design of development programmes that aim to narrow gaps between states and regions. B. On the principle of fairness, develop capabilities and promote participation, first and foremost, in order to reduce inter-group disparities in access, opportunity, capability, and representation, and ultimately to narrow income and wealth gaps. The key areas of pro-Bumiputera (and other designated groups) programmes must be specified: 1. Higher education (pre-university programmes, admissions, sponsorship) – in these areas, as well, more preference for disadvantaged can be incorporated, with continual emphasis on developing capability. 2. High-level occupations (professional and management positions, especially in public sector and GLCs) 3. Enterprise development (SMEs, GLCs, public procurement, vendor development, grants and loans, microfinance, training and advisory support) – the emphasis must be on developing capability, but there is scope especially in microfinance to target the poor/B40 of all ethnic groups 4. Wealth and property ownership (unit trusts, share allocations, property discounts) A bottom-up building process must be emphasized and systematically formulated, focusing on developing capability, competitiveness and confidence as the driving factors. These policy spheres under theme (B) are more complex than the provision of basic needs and decent living of theme (A) above, and hence it is suitably guided by the principle of fairness – akin to “equitability”, but arguably simpler to comprehend and communicate to the general public.
Additional information:
“Malaysia’s New Economic Policy and the 30% Bumiputera Equity Target: Time for a Revisit and a Reset”, ISEAS Perspective 2021 No. 36, 25 March https://www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-commentaries/iseas-perspective/malaysias-new-economic-policy-and-the-30-bumiputera-equity-target-time-for-a-revisit-and-a-reset-by-lee-hwok-aun/ “Ditching Malaysia’s Bumiputera System: Three Utopian Scenarios To Consider”, Fulcrum 2021/33, 4 February 2021 https://fulcrum.sg/ditching-malaysias-bumiputera-system-three-utopian-scenarios-to-consider/ “The NEP at 50: Misunderstood and Misrepresented”, Fulcrum 2020/206, 9 December 2020. https://fulcrum.sg/the-nep-at-50-misunderstood-and-misrepresented/ “Making Sense of Budget 2021’s Ethnic Fault Lines”, Between the Lines, 13 December 2020. https://betweenthelines.my/making-sense-of-budget-2021s-ethnic-fault-lines/ “Muhyiddin’s grand plan for Malaysia’s development lacks clear focus when it comes to Bumiputra”, South China Morning Post, 7 October 2020 https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3104455/muhyiddins-grand-plan-malaysias-development-lacks-clear-focus “Comprehending Ethnic Inequality in Malaysia: Going Beyond the Stereotypes”, ISEAS Commentary 2020/97, 23 July 2020 https://www.iseas.edu.sg/media/commentaries/comprehending-ethnic-inequality-in-malaysia-going-beyond-the-stereotypes/ “Malaysia’s Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 Needs a Rethink to Make a Breakthrough” https://www.iseas.edu.sg/images/pdf/ISEAS_Perspective_2019_107.pdf “Where’s Malaysia Headed with its Race-Based Preferential Policies?” https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/2182755/wheres-malaysia-headed-its-race-based-preferential-policies “New regimes, old policies and a bumiputera reboot” https://www.newmandala.org/new-regimes-old-policies-bumiputera-reboot/ “Mid-Term Review of 11th Malaysia Plan: Reaffirming Bumiputra Policy, But Also Signalling New Attention to Minority Needs” https://www.iseas.edu.sg/images/pdf/ISEAS_Perspective_2019_5.pdf “Article 153 empowers temporary affirmative action, but cannot resolve majority-minority tensions” https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2018/11/12/article-153-empowers-temporary-affirmative-action-but-cannot-resolve-majori/1692551 “Can we have an honest conversation on Article 153?” https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2018/06/06/can-we-have-an-honest-conversation-on-article-153-lee-hwok-aun/1638843 “Malaysia’s Bumiputera Preferential Regime and Transformation Agenda: Modified Programmes, Unchanged System” https://www.iseas.edu.sg/images/pdf/TRS22_17.pdf