Feds Removes 30% Bumiputera Rule While Opposition Led Selangor Goes In Favour of Orang Asli

Update 23 April 2009: Tony Pua's more intelligent and comprehensive analysis of the liberalisation of the 30% bumiputera equity in his blog here.

Malaysia's federal government lifts the ancient rule that requires 30% bumiputera equity in 27 services sub-sectors which includes health and social services, tourism services, transport services, business services and computer and related services. The new prime minister also said that he will spring some surprises on the liberalisation of the financial sector next week.

These apparent good news might have overshadowed the opposition led Selangor government's decision to withdraw its appeal which involves the acquisition of 16.5ha of the Temuan tribe’s customary lands at Bukit Tampoi, Dengkil in 1995. The menteri besar said "We believe in protecting the rights of indigenous peoples and will continue to treat the orang asli community with the respect they deserve and that should have been accorded to them from the very beginning."

Source: Star Online "Govt lifts 30% bumi rule for 27 services sub-sectors" and "S’gor withdraws appeal, wants to work with orang asli"