Guan Eng says two-year push for non-Bumi funding has failed to sway Anwar, but will keep pressing

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 — DAP advisor Lim Guan Eng has disclosed that his repeated requests over the past two years to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for more funding for non-Bumiputera communities have not been successful. The Penang MP recounted that he had brought up the proposal both in private meetings with Anwar and while speaking in Parliament, but to no avail.

"I must admit that for the past two years, I have consistently presented this suggestion to the Prime Minister during meetings and in my parliamentary speeches, but without success," he said in a statement today. Despite this, Lim remains committed to advocating for economic and social justice for all Malaysians. He suggested that annual allocations for non-Bumiputeras should be 10% of the allocations specifically given to Bumiputeras, without reducing the latter's share.

Despite this setback, Lim revealed that Anwar had endorsed ten other economic proposals after being urged by Lim and senior DAP leaders. These measures include raising the threshold for e-invoicing exemptions to RM3 million annually, boosting individual income tax relief to RM12,000 from 2027 and reinstating the Budi95 fuel subsidy quota to 300 liters per month.

According to Lim, these instances underscore that Anwar is willing to hear out and be convinced by suggestions. However, he emphasized that more reforms are essential to assist the 1.2 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) grappling with challenges in loan acquisition, escalating compliance costs and competition from foreign firms.

"Together with leading DAP leaders, I will raise these people-centric concerns again in Parliament and in meetings with the Prime Minister," Lim pledged.