KUALA LUMPUR, 15 October 2011 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government will not abandon the Dasar Ekonomi Baru (New Economic Policy) aimed at improving the lot of bumiputeras in the country but said it needed to be “adjusted” so as to improve upon the weaknesses that exist in the system.

Speaking at the “PM Unplugged – Versi Anak MARA” event at the Putra World Trade Centre, Najib said the system of meritocracy that he envisions will select the best among the bumiputeras and is not the “Malaysian Malaysia” concept that is being touted by some other quarters.

“We must choose the best among us,” he said, adding that “if not, it would show that we condone mediocrity.”
Najib was responding to ANSARA president, Dato’ Mukhriz Tun Mahathir’s call that the government not abandon the New Economic Policy as it would adversely affect the bumiputera community.

The Prime Minister also said that what mattered were not the rights the bumiputeras have, but what they did with their position, adding that bumiputeras cannot depend on government protection forever.
He said what matters now was each entrepreneurs’ “know-how” and no longer “know-who” as some others had practiced before.
Later, the Prime Minister took questions from the floor in a Q&A session moderated by Celcom Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Seri Shazally Ramly, who was a product of MRSM Kuantan.

Najib fielded questions that ranged from education policy to the state of cleanliness of government primary school toilets.
The event was attended by more than 1000 former MRSM students including luminaries such as Maybank President & CEO and MRSM Seremban alumnus, Datuk Abdul Wahid Omar; joint Air Asia founder and former MRSM Kuantan student, Datuk Kamaruddin Meranun; and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, Dato’ Razali Ibrahim who attended MRSM Terendak.
Also present was current ANSARA Deputy President, YM Raja Ali Raja Othman.