Wanita MCA blasts PAS Youth for failing to recognize global trend of trade liberalisation

8 June 09

Press statement by Wanita MCA Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun slamming PAS Youth who condemned Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib for liberalizing 27 service subsectors and for their stand against abolishing the 30% Bumiputera quota

When Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak announced the liberalization of 27 subsectors on 22 April 2009, his announcement was welcomed by Malaysians. The Prime Minister’s announcement reinforced his announcement on 24 October 2008 that the Government was moving towards the liberalization of the NEP. MCA has always stressed that creating opportunities should be based on a need-and-income basis rather than race centric.

This is in line with the 3 Thrusts for MCA’s transformation as well as the 1-Malaysia concept mooted by the Prime Minister. Unfortunately, PAS Youth disagrees and is adamant that assistance be given on race-basis rather than need.

PAS Youth must recognize that the liberalization of the 27 sectors is in compliance with the country’s membership in the ASEAN Economic Community and the World Trade Organisation. The relaxation of regulations is also in line with ASEAN’s trade liberalization which will be implemented soon. In view of the trend of globalization, protectionist policies and quota restrictions impede free trade which is already practised in fully developed nations.

MCA has been consistent in our position that quota restrictions should be gradually loosened. The removal of quotas in any commercial sector should be accepted as a means of propelling economic competitiveness, thus enhancing professionalism and upgrade of the industries alongside with increased productivity.

MCA also hopes that liberalising the 27 sectors will be permanently maintained and that quota requirements will not be re-invoked in future. Similarly, there should not be micro-restructuring in any other sector to substitute the lifting of quotas here.

A level playing field spurs further local and foreign direct investment into Malaysia which will boost our local economy which currently is experiencing a downslide due to the effects of the worldwide economic crunch.

Through liberalization of the 27 sectors, employment opportunities are created, financial prospects boosted, thus ensuring economic viability. Our anxiety about local and foreign investors moving their investments to other countries will be considerably decreased. We have to bear in mind that the free enterprise approach spearheads equal opportunities and competitiveness by enabling participation from everyone. Hence, it would be in national interest to fully liberalise every other sector which still contain restrictions.