Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today dismissed any notion that he practiced favouritism to any particular race and vowed to continue treating all communities equally.

"Please understand that I have never gave 100 percent to any quarter. We must distribute (the economic pie) equally," he said while opening the 54th MCA annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur today.

He told all top BN component parties leaders and 1,738 MCA delegates at the AGM that any leader practicing discriminative policy was not fit to be a leader in Malaysia.

"I have been fair, I want to be fair and I will always be fair. That is my promise," he reiterated at the end of his 50-minute speech, to a round of thunderous applause from the floor.

The premier's remarks were made in response to MCA president Ong Ka Ting's opening speech earlier which called on the government to open up opportunities for the Malaysian Chinese community to participate in various government sectors, especially the economy-centric sectors.

Ong also urged the government to award government contracts to non-bumiputera companies, arguing that it would generate various economic activities that will help the bumiputeras eventually.

The head of the second largest BN component party also noted that the community's contribution in economic growth could not be denied, adding that the community would like to play a bigger role.

Genuine joint venture

Thanking the MCA head for speaking his mind, the premier - who was speaking off the cuff - also suggested that other communities too would have similar grouses in asking for more opportunities.

"The MIC, Umno haven't met (for the AGM) yet..." Abdullah said.

"I have never seen (MIC president S) Samy Vellu taking down notes (of Ong's speech) so furiously, how many pages have you written?" he asked, drawing laughter from the floor.

Samy Vellu, on his part, acknowledged the premier by waving his notepad from the floor.

Abdullah, who is also the finance minister, also suggested that the Chinese business community form joint ventures with the bumiputera counterparts as a way to enhance their economic participation.

He said such joint ventures would be given priority by the government in considering awards of government projects.

He however stressed that the 'Ali Baba' model was not acceptable.

"Why not joint venture? I am not saying there must be 30 percent bumiputera participation, you have to decide for yourselves but what I am saying is there must be genuine cooperation," he said.

"Everyone in the (joint venture) has to play a role and if there is genuine cooperation, we will give them priority in the awarding of government projects," he said to a round of applause from the floor.

Abdullah pointed out that it would be difficult for the government leaders to formulate relevant policies if the people of various races could not negotiate and work together.

Among those present this morning include Umno secretary-general Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon, MCA life president Dr Ling Liong Sik and other MCA veterans.