KUCHING: Dayak Chamber of Commerce Industry (DCCI) is looking forward to communicate with the relevant state authorities to discuss plans for its investment arm Permodalan Dayak Berhad (PDB).
Its deputy president Tan Sri Dato Sri Celestine Ujang said this is in response to the call made by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud for non-Malay Bumiputera to participate in the business world through an investment vehicle.
In a statement issued here yesterday, Ujang on behalf of DCCI welcomed the suggestion by the Chief Minister as it was in line with the chamber’s main objective to get members involved in the corporate sector through a wholly-owned Dayak corporate entity.
“With Chief Minister’s timely support for such non-Malay Bumiputera investment arm, DCCI is confident the state government will assist DCCI in its effort to realise the desired objectives through the said corporate entity.
“In fact, DCCI has already formed Permodalan Dayak Berhad (PDB) and we will communicate with the relevant state authorities on this issue.
“DCCI will also liase with other Dayak business associations to discuss Chief Minister’s proposal,” he said yesterday.
The Chief Minister, at the closing of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) 13th Convention on Tuesday, had said while Muslims have the investment arm like Lembaga Masjid-Masjid, non-Muslim associations of the other Bumiputera races need to have their own companies to allow them to share the wealth of the state.
“As a way to enable Bumiputeras to participate in business, the government is thinking of starting companies, run by the private sector and owned by Bumiputeras.
“By doing this, more Bumiputera can buy shares thus participate in the business world,” Taib had said.