“Bumi’s forced 51% stake in transport companies only benefits the rich”
Senator Robert Lau
SIBU (October 6): Finance Ministry policy of forcing owners of freight companies to own 51 percent of Bumiputra shares is not the way to help Bumiputeras, Senator Robert Lau said Hui Yew.
He pointed out that Bumiputeras who could afford to buy 51% of the shares of an established freight forwarding company would not need business help as they would have to be well established in the business to be able to raise the costs. funds necessary for the exercise.
He suggested to the finance ministry to consider how this directive would affect the freight transport industry in the country and its repercussions on the economy.
“An arbitrary act and a quick fix will not tackle the root cause. This is not the way to help the Bumiputera of the B40 group, â€he said yesterday during his debate on the motion of thanks for the royal speech in Parliament.
Lau said the government should also consider what is the estimated value of the 51% stake in all relevant companies and how many B40 Bumiputeras would be able to own those 51% shares based on Inland data. Revenue Board.
He added that he was certain that such an opportunity would never reach “those on the ground and those on the streets”.
“It will go to those Bumiputeras who are well connected and who are already rich. This will not benefit the B40s who work in the GrabFood or Foodpanda delivery service. “
He also felt that this was an attempt to enrich a few and exacerbate the gap between rich and poor, and stressed that the theme “Keluarga Malaysia†should be supported by actions and not just in words.
On the health issue, Lau said that although health is a federal responsibility, the Sarawak government was strongly committed from the start to help fight the Covid-19 virus.
When the federal government was slow or unwilling to purchase equipment such as ventilators for Sarawak’s public hospitals, he said the state government stepped in again and by now has spent nearly of RM100 million in medical equipment.
“So far, the total amount spent by the government of Sarawak to help the federal government wage this war on Coivd-19 is RM340 million.
“More worrying is the shortage of doctors, nurses and hospital staff which has forced them to work up to 12 hours a day instead of eight.
“Deputy Health Minister Datuk Aaron Dagang said the shortage of medical staff at Sibu Hospital has been a big problem since it was established 27 years ago in 1994. The irony is that there has candidates who are qualified locally but not hired, â€said Lau, who then asked if the health ministry intended to increase funding to modernize the Sibu hospital.
“Apart from increasing funding, the other solution is simple, and that is to decentralize management to the state,†he said.