Umno Youth's call to revive the New Economic Policy (NEP) today found strong support from Information Minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir who said that it was in line with vision envisaged by the nation's forefathers.

"In pursuing our Malay development agenda, we cannot be discreet but be transparent (as was voiced by Umno Youth)," Bernama quoted him as telling reporters at the Umno assembly today.

He added that the proposal by Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin on Thursday for the establishment of the New National Agenda as a precursor to the revival of the NEP was merely the re-emergence of the vision for the Malays "to stand on their own feet in their motherland".

On Thursday, Khairy proposed that the government create the New National Agenda for a 15-year term, beginning next year to empower the Malays in the economic sector.

He said that the agenda - covering ownership of land, housing, business premises and intellectual property - is aimed at increasing bumiputera share ownership of 30 percent by 2020.

Khairy added that Umno Youth was of the opinion that the philosophy on the NEP must be clearly revived and outlined in detail under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), so that its implementation and target of achieving the Malay Agenda could be monitored and its success assessed from time to time.

Responding to this, Abdul Kadir today said Umno Youth must be commended for its firmness in wanting the government to revive the NEP.

Islam Hadhari

Meanwhile, a Federal Territory delegate today said the government must review the religious education in efforts to produce people with noble values.

Bernama reports that Hisham Abdul Majid, in debating the motion on religion and education at the Umno assembly, said failure of the religious education system had caused crimes and other social ills.

He added that the Islam Hadhari approach in education should be the thrust for efforts to produce people and a society that was not only successful academically but with noble values.

In this regards, a delegate from Negeri Sembilan said the government must make sure that Islam Hadhari was implemented on a continuous basis.

Yunus Rahmat said that the government must also ensure that the concept, as espoused by the prime minister and party president is not disputed by any groups or individuals.

For this, Yunus said that the government must immediately implement action plans to implement Islam Hadhari and make it a national development policy that embraces all aspects of life.

"It must be made a national policy so that its implementation is not disputed," he said.

No backing down

Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein targeted the Chinese language media who had criticised the call by the wing to revive the NEP.

"To the critics in the Chinese language press and their leaders, I wish to make crystal clear that Umno Youth will not compromise on the issue of defending the status and rights of the Malays," he said at the assembly this evening.

He added that Umno Youth will continue to press for fairer equity ownership and wealth distribution, eradication of poverty among Malays and restructuring society as outlined by the NEP.

"I was personally accused of going against the wishes of the party president and narrow rhetoric, and that Umno Youth was going backward by promoting a worn out issue," Bernama quoted him as saying.