Yet another NEP warning, yet another silence

Two prominent figures linked to the New Economic Policy (NEP) have publicly cautioned that continued implementation has led to dependency and mediocrity. At a September 8 forum celebrating the legacy of former prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein, Nazir Razak—son of the NEP's creator—described the policy as fostering a "tongkat culture" of dependence among the Malays.

CIMB Group chairman warned that the NEP was only intended to last 20 years, echoing a statement by former deputy prime minister Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman that it served as a 20-year "handicap". Nazir lamented that the NEP had focused excessively on ownership distribution and contracts, rather than on education and skills, criticizing the lack of genuine competition.

Former deputy prime minister Musa Hitam echoed these concerns, stating that the policy inadvertently produced a culture of reliance on government assistance, making Malays overly pampered by the state. While acknowledging the NEP's initial successes in lifting Malays out of poverty and creating a Bumiputera middle class, both critics argue that the policy's unintended consequences—such as stifling competition, promoting cronyism, and creating a sluggish economy—have made it a liability rather than a boon.

Despite its initial goals, the NEP has become a source of controversy, with a widening gap between the wealthiest Malays and the rest of the population. The persistent issue has led to criticism of the policy's continued existence, and yet no government response or public debate has emerged.