He said although the policy was seen as an effort to help lift the economic status of Bumiputeras, it also benefited others.
"Presently, Bumiputera achievement is still low and they are under pressure because the NEP has yet to show its impact on the Bumiputeras.
"Now is the time to uplift the economy of the Malays and Bumiputeras and not to question the policy," he told reporters after opening the Malay Contractors Cooperative Malaysia annual meeting here yesterday.
Ali who is Malacca Chief Minister, said many fields should also be developed and the policy did not focus on just one.
Meanwhile, he also suggested to the cooperative to set up a company which supplies bulding materials to its members. The government would not hesitate to channel aid to the company which would indirectly benefit the Bumiputeras, he said.
"It is just a suggestion. It is up to the cooperative to carry it out. On the part of the government, we can help maybe in terms of expertise in managing the company," he said.
- Bernama
