Describing the current pro-bumiputera economic policies as 'obsolete', former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim today pushed for the formulation of a new policy that transcends racial lines.

He said bumiputeras should free themselves from the perception that they cannot survive without such policies, which have only served to breed corruption, abuse and mismanagement among government oficials.

"I urge the leaders and the people to open their minds. They should not be bound by the perception that there is no chance of survival without the current policies," he told a press conference at his Damansara residence in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said although the National Economic Policy (NEP) had been successful in allowing the Malays to move in terms of education and social mobility, it had yet to benefit the community as a whole.

"I think in the period of globalisation and stiff competition this new consensus will lead to more profitable results because for the last few decades we have entrusted it to the political leaders and clearly - as what we have seen - it had only enriched a few at the expense of the majority," he added.

He said the extent of the abuse of these policies can be seen from the issuance of Approved Permits (AP).

United effort

Anwar, who is now the adviser of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), described the AP scandal as 'shocking' and 'a clear betrayal of the Malays trust'.

"So it is time we build a new consensus among the bumiputeras and the rest as a Malaysian consensus to have a determined effort in combatting poverty among rural Malays, the Indians in the estates and the urban Chinese squatters.

"Why can't we do this? I am sure we can. With the RM60billion annual profit from Petronas, why can't we deal with the situation?" he asked.

Anwar, who was voted as Asia's best finance minister in 1996 by the Asia Money magazine, urged the Malays not to be taken by the trend of Umno leaders who put the blame squarely on the implementation aspect of the policy.

"The policy is not only obsolete but it also invites abuse, corruption and mismanagement. Don't just blame the bureaucrats.

"You see there is now a trend among Umno leaders to blame implementation. It's not only the implementation. The policy is flawed because it allows such (bad) implementation," he said.

He also hoped that the Malays will not be swayed by the tactics of some Umno leaders who had incited the spirit of Malays in the pretext of defending the rights of bumiputeras.

"I am aware some (Umno) leaders - in particular the youth leaders using the keris to defend the Malays - whose wealth has coincidently reached hundreds of millions. So what is defended is their own stomachs, not the problems and interests of he people," he said.

Causing concern

Anwar also stressed there is a difference between affirmative actions that transcend racial considerations and the bumiputera policy which has been abused.

"Malay privileges have been enshrined in the Federal Constitution, I am not touching on that. Which means the protection of some people is not to be questioned.

"But it cannot be to the exclusion of competent qualified non-Malays. This is causing a lot of concern," he added.

Anwar said his call for a new consensus does not mean that he is not sensitive to the problems of the Malays and their businesses and economic pursuits.

"I am not saying that we should now ignore the problems related to poverty among the Malays or the failure in enhancing the position of the Malays in the economy. But we must find a new approach that is just and fair," he added.

Asked if there is still a need for a policy to ensure Malays hold at least 30 percent of the country's economic power as aspired by the NEP, Anwar said this was no longer relevant.

"Instead we must push to improve the standard of living for all and the success of all races. This means that if we see Malays lagging far behind in economic participation, there must be an approach involving all races to solve that problem.

"If it involves the poverty of the Indians, it should not be a problem for the Indian community alone. If it is... I mean even MIC has failed to counter the problem. Therefore clearly we need to build a new consensus," he added.

Racist Malays

The former deputy premier said he is aware that his call to push for a new consensus will be used against him by racist Malays.

"I anticipate the racist Malays to exploit this and even possibly condemn me, which is not a new thing and I am not too worried about it...I do not underestimate the people's capacity to appreciate facts from fiction and I don't underestimate their wisdom," he added.

Returning to the AP scandal, Anwar said he believed that it is no longer tenable for International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz to continue her ministerial duties but her resignation will not solve the problem.

"This is not a Rafidah issue per se. I am not here to defend her and I think she had a lot to answer and I don't think it is tenable for her to remain in that seat. But..this is not a new issue.

"But I do not believe that the issue of AP and the attack against Rafidah should deflect our focus from the central issue of blatant abuse of power and corruption which do not only involve the issuance of AP but also share allocations, privatisations and contract awards.

"What is lacking is the courage and conviction to deal with this sort of excesses. We have to re-look at the entire thrust of the policy. It's time that we deal with the plan, re-look at the relevance, the successes, failures and limitations of the existing policies," he added.

Commenting on the exchanges between Rafidah and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he said that he supports the retired premier's call for transparency on the AP list but questioned his reason for doing so.

"I would agree with Mahathir's call to bare all. I have no personal war against anyone and if there is a call for clarity and transparency, I would agree."

"But it should not wait until there is a personal disagreement, family feud, boardroom tussle or divergence among factions to call for a review of flawed policies," he added.