KUALA LUMPUR: Bumiputera should change their mindsets so as to become more competitive in the global arena, besides venturing into sectors deemed government’s priorities.
Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said Bumiputera should not be easily satisfied by just having 30 per cent equity ownership in the national economic pie.
“Among the sectors that are being given priority are oil, aerospace and marine, and we have to produce and guide Bumiputera entrepreneurs who will not only have a share, but actually own the businesses in the sectors.
“We do not want them to compete only among the 30 per cent, but to go beyond that, we must move forward to excel in life, including in education and entrepreneurship,” he told reporters after opening the 49th Mara Day celebration here yesterday.
As such, he said Mara would help produce Bumiputera graduates, who would not only secure jobs in public or private sectors, but capable of being guided to venture into other fields, including entrepreneurship.
“We want them to be able to come out with ideas we can commercialise and coordinate to enable them to become successful entrepreneurs. This is what we want when we sponsor them to pursue education, we want them to graduate with the right mindset,” he said.
Earlier, Mohd Shafie also launched the Wholesale Sukuk Fund by Pelaburan Mara Berhad (PMB) and presented the Mara Excellence Service Award 2014.
Also present was Mara chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa. — Bernama