KUCHING: In order for initiatives to empower the Bumiputera to succeed, political power must remain in the proper hands.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said this today at the launch of the new Hikmah Exchange convention centre-cum-commercial complex in Satok, here.
Najib said maintaining existing political power was a prerequisite for the plans being made to empower the Bumiputera, who make up 68 per cent of the country's population but own only 30 per cent of the country's corporate wealth.
"Hopefully on May 7 (state polls day) we will guarantee that political power (remains) in the proper and deserving hands.
"When it is in the proper hands, the Pan Borneo Highway and Hikmah Exchange will be completed, the Bumiputera Empowerment Agenda will continue and Sarawak and Sabah will prosper," said Najib after launching the Hikmah Exchange, a project located on Malay-owned land in the city.
Najib said that in an effort to boost Bumiputera ownership of commercial properties, Yayasan Amanah Hartanah Bumiputera will extend help to Yayasan Hartanah Bumiputera Sarawak in the latter's effort to help Bumiputera to own more strategic assets in the state, and provide funds wherever needed.
Najib said such efforts were needed to boost commercial property ownership among the Bumiputera, whose ownership of commercial properties such as business premises and malls are at an all time low.