Malay program to remain in effect

Malay program to remain in effect

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia's affirmative action program for ethnic Malays will stay in place until they are as rich as other races, Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said on Sunday.

Abdullah, quoted by the official Bernama news agency, said the program would have to be implemented "over a very long period."

Non-Malays should not question the Malays' special rights and privileges provided for in the Constitution, he added.

A leading Chinese businessman last week raised a storm by reportedly saying the rights should be gradually phased out once Malays were able to stand on their own two feet.

David Chua, deputy general secretary of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, later said he was misquoted.

But a daily later reported that 11 Chinese associations were reviving plans to press for the abolition of the rights.