KUCHING: Belawai assemblyman Datu Len Talif Salleh proposed the setting up of a Bumiputera Trust Fund to help narrow the socio-economic gap between Bumiputeras and non-Bumiputeras.
The fund, among others, will provide much-needed capital for Bumiputeras to venture into commerce and major industries.
“The equitable distribution of wealth has as prerequisites, sustained harmony and prosperity in our country. The socio-economic divide between Bumis and non-Bumis in rural and urban population could be narrowed,” Len Talif said yesterday when debating the Head of State’s royal address at the opening of DUN on Monday.
He said the source of funds could be drawn from oil and gas, oil palm and hydro-electricity sectors which are found in rural areas, and the impacts are direct and indirect.
Len Talif added that the setting up of the fund would lead to the formation of the proposed Bumiputera Economic Congress of Sarawak that can be managed by Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) or Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in collaboration with the state government.
“The congress will provide an excellent platform for reviewing Bumiputera progress in commerce and industry, taking into account the challenges, opportunities and obstacles to be resolved amicably,” he added.