KUALA LUMPUR: The Bumiputera Empowerment Agenda has helped Bumiputera contractors to excel and be more competitive, said the Malaysian Malay Contractors Association (PKMM).
Its president Datuk Mokhtar Samad said many Bumiputera companies were using the incentives, such as awards and business opportunities, to improve the quality of their work.
“Since the introduction of the Bumiputera Empowerment Agenda, we have seen significant success in Bumiputera companies.
“Bumiputera contractors have taken up the challenge by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and proved that they can deliver outstanding work that is comparable with overseas contractors,” he told the New Straits Times.
Mokhtar said previously, Bumiputera contractors did their job well, but there was still negative perception about Malays being lazy, uncompetitive and only wanting easy tasks.
“These perceptions have long ago been brushed off by Bumiputera contractors, and now, with the incentives, there is healthy competition among them.”
He advised all contractors to never give up and never stop proving themselves.
“Bumiputera contractors have to step up their game and be more competitive.
“We cannot stereotype Malays as failures. Other races also have their challenges.
“Bumiputera contractors must have an entrepreneurial spirit and change their mentality.”
Yesterday, Najib lauded Bumiputera contractors who excelled in the delivery of landmark projects like the Mass Rapid Transit, which proved that they were capable.
The early delivery of the MRT, he said, was proof the success of the Bumiputera Empowerment Agenda.