Malaysians’ bumiputera-first policy debate takes on heady mix of health, education and politics

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The affirmative programme was meant to raise educational and living standards of the bumiputeras, or sons of the soil: the Malays, Orang Asli and indigenous ethnic groups in Sabah and Sarawak. Among the benefits for Malays and bumiputeras are reserved spots in public universities and government jobs.

Critics of the half-century-old policy say the policy is behind Malaysia’s brain drain, as bright minority graduates and skilled workers leave as they feel they are second-class citizens.

After the 1990s, it was distorted or abused and left a lot of Malays still poor, and worse still, it left the poor Chinese and Indians relatively ignored. It promoted elitists and cronies in gaining wealth and benefits instead of the poor,...see the NEP as promoting elite Malay cronies rather than lifting poor bumiputeras

For qns on discrimination and equality.....and the weakness of democracy when it comes to implementing unpopular but essential policies for the nation...