The dismantling of the 30% rule
After PM Dato Sri Najib spoke about dismantling the 30% quota, the reception was mixed. Generally speaking, it is said that the Malays feel naked.
There are no longer protection and special privileges that come along with being a Bumiputera. Hence, some feel that Dato Najib by doing so is only attempting in ingratiate himself with non Malays. Perhaps, PM Najib recognised the validity of Lee Kuan Yew's observation, that Malaysia can be better if she treats her non Malay citizens better. Maybe.
The 30% quota was the backbone to the economic policies under the NEP and its successors. It has allowed for the enrichment of selected BUMIPUTERAS namely the well connected and privileged minority. The general improvement for the Malays was secured not through the operation of this 30% rule, but by specific policy initiatives targeted at education, in land distribution or land consolidation (FELDA), through improvements in agriculture which is the main economic preoccupation of the majority of Malays, job mobility and so forth.
There seemed to be two different set of policy initiatives. One which worked through the 30% quota enabled gratuitous transfer or inexpensively financed equity stakes in on-going business firms. The Malay input is required by law to enable the company secure licence, contracts or go for listing. They got the benefits of being who they are NOT because of what they can do.