A Works Ministry survey last year showed that on average 85.37 percent of projects secured by Bumiputera contractors goes to other communities, revealed Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said this not only foiled the government's desire to empower Bumiputera contractors but also undermined the more important Bumiputera agenda to ensure the country achieved progress and stability in the long term.

"They do not want to work; do not want to learn, and give little importance to the opportunities provided by the government," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Abdullah said a community that lags behind must foster the realisation to change and learn to improve itself.

Abdullah said the subsidy assistance to the needy groups, whilst fulfilling the moral demands on the government, was insufficient for survival on a global level.

"This approach will only make us hope and wait for aid and subsidies. Such a mentality thrives among the people, including Bumiputera petty traders and contractors," he lamented.

Run and leap

Abdullah said the government, as a responsible one, realised that this was detrimental in terms of competition and would not empower the nation in the long term.

The prime minister said the government had to consider now how to facilitate the people who required assistance so that they could generate wealth exponentially and widely.

"Many people say that there is no shortcut to progress but I believe that is the old way of thinking. If we have to run and not walk, then we must be prepared to run.

"If we have to leap and not stride, then we must be prepared to leap provided we succeed and succeed fast," he said.

On the nation's volume of trade last year that touched RM1.069 trillion, Abdullah said it went to show that the country was moving in the right direction.

"To ensure that we do not deviate from our goal, we have to develop the sources of our strength in various spheres - the public service delivery system, a vibrant and efficient private sector that can secure opportunities within and outside the country, and develop human capital particularly in terms of our capability and capacity," he said.