‘Not a zero-sum game’: Anwar says he wants to help Malays, but not by denying others’ rights

Shah Alam, on September 26 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim proclaimed his intention to assist Malays in the nation, cautioning that this support should not impede the rights of others, emphasizing that it is not a "zero-sum game." "Nevertheless, I remain confident that the Bumiputera agenda can be broadened with a commitment to social justice and without infringing on the security and well-being of non-Bumiputera groups," he stated during a speech at Universiti Teknologi MARA's (UiTM) Dewan Agung Tuanku Canselor.

The audience responded with enthusiastic applause. However, Anwar expressed his disapproval of any opinions that disparage others, undermine their contributions, or detract from others' rights. He concluded by inviting UiTM alumni to choose seven to ten representatives to assess Bumiputera initiatives, such as those within UiTM, and suggest enhancements.

Earlier in his address, Anwar hinted that increased focus would be placed on the socioeconomic advancement of the Bumiputera community in the forthcoming federal Budget compared to past Budgets. He emphasized this was not an attempt at divisive politics, but rather a component of a national agenda, as the interests of the Bumiputera majority and indigenous communities in Sabah and Sarawak should not be disregarded.

Moreover, Anwar pledged to be more stringent in ensuring that every dollar allocated to Malay and Bumiputera agencies was not mismanaged or subject to "sakau" (theft) by any individual, a statement that also elicited applause from the audience.