Is there a common PR stand on quotas?

By Tarani Palani | 16 August 2010 | The Nut Graph

“I suggest we remove the seven percent discount for houses costing more than RM500,000.”
“The saved amount can then be channelled to needy bumiputeras.”

Shah Alam Member of Parliament (MP) and PAS central political bureau member, Khalid Samad, agreeing with Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua who suggested that Selangor remove the 7% bumiputera discount for residential and commercial property above RM500,000. (Source: Khalid Samad: Support letters OK, but…, Free Malaysia Today, 9 Aug 2010)

“If we are suggesting that such discounts should continue, are we suggesting that rich Malays like Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar, Tan Sri Rozali Ismail or Dato’ Seri Nazir Tun Razak, who earn six-figure or seven-figure monthly incomes [each], also qualify for the seven percent discount whenever they buy any residential property above RM500,000 or commercial property above RM2 million, even though they [can] afford to pay the market price?”

Kampung Tunku assemblyperson and DAP member Lau Weng San agreeing with Pua’s suggestion. Lau argued that the bumiputera discount policy was to encourage house ownership as most “under-privileged Bumiputeras live in rented [properties]”.  The policy was not meant for high-income bumiputera who were “financially sound” and able to compete in the open market. (Source: 7% Bumiputera discount for high-end property should go, Lau Weng San’s blog, 30 July 2010)

“(Beri) kepada siapa yang berhak, majoritinya adalah bumiputera yang miskin, yang bukan bumiputera tidak seramai Bumiputera.”

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang commenting on the issue. Hadi said Pua’s suggestion was his personal view and had not been discussed by PR’s top-level leadership. (Source: Hak istimewa bumiputera perlu dikekalkan — Hadi, Utusan Malaysia, 6 Aug 2010)

“If the proposal gets the nod, it will be written in the budget speech, if not, you will not hear anything about it.”

Selangor Menter Besar, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, commenting on whether Pua’s suggestion will be implemented.
He stressed that Pua’s suggestion did not affect the bumiputera quota for purchases of low-cost houses or affordable homes priced around RM250,000 per unit. (Source: Khalid: Call to scrap bumi discount only on costly property, Bernama as quoted in Malaysiakini, 27 July 2010)

“The Opposition’s marriage of convenience is unable to reach consensus when it comes to drafting policies.”

MCA publicity bureau deputy chairperson Loh Seng Kok commenting on the matter. In a media statement, he said it would be the “biggest disaster” if the opposition coalition won an election without a common ideology. (Source: PAS’ rejection of DAP’s proposal on abolishing Bumiputera discount on house purchases shows PR is unable to reach consensus in drafting policies, MCA’s website, 7 Aug 2010)