Changes likely to be unveiled in second stimulus package, says Muhyiddin
The Straits Times Singapore (24/2/09): Malaysia will relax some of its pro-Malay economic policies as part of a major stimulus package to keep the economy from faltering further, Minister of International Trade and Industry Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday.
This is likely to be announced in the second package on March10, that will be bigger than the RM7 billion (S$2.9 billion) one unveiled last November.
Analysts have suggested that it could be between RM10 billion and RM15 billion.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin declined to give details but said the Cabinet has agreed to liberalise the rules for foreign investment, including the bumiputera equity requirements. 'It has been agreed upon by the Cabinet, and would be announced soon. Even in the FIC (Foreign Investment Committee) where one of the important components is the bumiputera equity. That is also being looked at, and there will be a slight change,' he told reporters. The services sector would also be liberalised.
The local media had reported that the government was likely to scrap the guidelines for the retail sector, with the exception of hypermarkets.
Under the guidelines, retailers and restaurants were required to have 30 per cent bumiputera equity participation if they had more than 15 per cent foreign shareholding. They were also required to have boards, management and staff reflecting the demographics of Malaysia. It had never been fully implemented.
Certain aspects of the controversial pro-Malay policy had already been relaxed, notably in the manufacturing sector where foreigners can have full ownership. The main remaining quota is the 30 per cent Malay equity ownership for public-listed companies. This was relaxed a little last year, with the quota now implemented only for new listings.
Mr Muhyiddin defended the 40-year-old policy as having been 'one of the best' for Malaysia's needs, but acknowledged its flaws in implementation.
He said it was being liberalised gradually but will not be lifted fully until Malaysia was ready for it. However, he said once it was rolled back, it would not be reimposed.
In general, the policy assists the majority Malay community in the economic sector through share quotas, soft loans and preference for government tenders. It also gives them a helping hand in educational opportunities.
The Straits Times Singapore (24/2/09): Malaysia will relax some of its pro-Malay economic policies as part of a major stimulus package to keep the economy from faltering further, Minister of International Trade and Industry Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday.
This is likely to be announced in the second package on March10, that will be bigger than the RM7 billion (S$2.9 billion) one unveiled last November.
Analysts have suggested that it could be between RM10 billion and RM15 billion.
Tan Sri Muhyiddin declined to give details but said the Cabinet has agreed to liberalise the rules for foreign investment, including the bumiputera equity requirements. 'It has been agreed upon by the Cabinet, and would be announced soon. Even in the FIC (Foreign Investment Committee) where one of the important components is the bumiputera equity. That is also being looked at, and there will be a slight change,' he told reporters. The services sector would also be liberalised.
The local media had reported that the government was likely to scrap the guidelines for the retail sector, with the exception of hypermarkets.
Under the guidelines, retailers and restaurants were required to have 30 per cent bumiputera equity participation if they had more than 15 per cent foreign shareholding. They were also required to have boards, management and staff reflecting the demographics of Malaysia. It had never been fully implemented.
Certain aspects of the controversial pro-Malay policy had already been relaxed, notably in the manufacturing sector where foreigners can have full ownership. The main remaining quota is the 30 per cent Malay equity ownership for public-listed companies. This was relaxed a little last year, with the quota now implemented only for new listings.
Mr Muhyiddin defended the 40-year-old policy as having been 'one of the best' for Malaysia's needs, but acknowledged its flaws in implementation.
He said it was being liberalised gradually but will not be lifted fully until Malaysia was ready for it. However, he said once it was rolled back, it would not be reimposed.
In general, the policy assists the majority Malay community in the economic sector through share quotas, soft loans and preference for government tenders. It also gives them a helping hand in educational opportunities.
Cantik? Klik 
0 comments
Post a Comment