NEM is not to remove NEP, says Najib

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said the New Economic Model (NEM) is not about removing the New Economic Policy (NEP) but more towards "progressive liberalisation" of the economy. He said in implementing the NEM, the government would consider the interest of all Malaysians, including that of Bumiputera.

"We are very measured in what we do because at the end of the day, we have to consider the interest of all Malaysians. The Bumiputera interest will be taken into account," he told reporters after receiving a book containing Merdeka Day wishes from the students of Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, here.

Last week, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed said that pro-Bumiputera and NEP-style policies were still necessary, saying it would not be possible for the community to be on par with other races within the 20-year NEP timeline.

Najib also said the 1Malaysia concept was based on the constitution of Malaysia.

"It is predicated on us being fair and for us being considerate in policies and for us to be inclusive as far as possible," he said.

Najib was also asked on claims that the palm oil industry threatened the orang utan habitat.

It was an inaccurate assumption, he said, adding that the issue had been blown out of proportion by certain groups.

"Our record in the conservation of the orang utan is good and is acknowledged by many. In Malaysia, the orang utan exists only in Sabah and Sarawak but most of our oil palm plantations are in the peninsula," he said.

- Bernama