Don’t mix business with politics

Taib: Bumi entrepreneurs must help each other and build strong foundation to face globalisation

By Toman Mamora

KUCHING – Bumiputera entrepreneurs have been advised not to mix business with politics but to strengthen their base so that they will be able to face the challenges of globalisation more professionally.

Entrepreneurs, with interests divided between business and politics, were likely to fail as they would not be able to focus their time and resources on the development and management of their companies and products effectively, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud at the launching of the 15th Anniversary celebration of Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak (DUBS) and opening of the 3rd Bumiputera Economic Congress.

The two-day congress, with the theme, ‘ Towards realising the benefits of K-economy and globalisation’,  attracted about 300 delegates from throughout the State. Among the paper presenters were Minister of Tourism Dato Sri Abang Haji Johari Tun Openg, executive director of MTEN Dato Mustapha Mohamad, and Minister of Entrepreneurial Development Dato Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz.

Taib said the New Economic Policy and the various support programmes provided by the Federal and State Government had created ample opportunities for Bumiputera entrepreneurs to venture into different business activities and expand their scope of operations.

He was pleased to note that the numerous Government initiatives had paid dividend as the number of successful Bumiputera entrepreneurs involved in commerce and industry over the years had increased significantly, with several having companies listed in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.

Stressing that the Government had done its best to assist Bumiputera entrepreneurs, Taib said: “ The question to be asked now is what can we do for ourselves as Bumiputera entrepreneurs with the support rendered by the Federal and State Government. The Government needs to create Bumiputera entrepreneurs who are knowledgeable and professional”

He acknowledged that there were also Bumiputera entrepreneurs who had failed, despite assistance and guidance from the Government authorities, but added there was not reason for them to give up so easily.

“ We need to find out why we fail; it’s only when we are able to establish the causes and arrive at the solutions will we be able to face future undertakings with a sense of direction and professionalism,” said Taib, stressing that capability and skills were essential factors that an entrepreneur must embrace to become successful in the present market situation.

He called on the Bumiputera business community to be equipped with the right knowledge and skills to face globalisation, which he described as an era of mergers and market expansion transcending national boundaries.

Bumiputera entrepreneurs must identify their own niche products and market so that they would be able to establish their competitive edge in the face of globalisation, said Taib, adding that they had the advantage of the old links and knowledge of the local situation.

He stressed that more research and development (R&D) needed to be undertaken in order to provide more opportunities to entrepreneurs to identify new areas of business to venture into.

“ If we are successful at home, we can develop smart partnership outside Malaysia,” he quipped.

He said Bumiputera entrepreneurs should take the initiative to venture into many new areas of business, and described the food industry, especially in the processing of fish, as one area that offered great potential in view of the drop in the supply of fish in the world.

Stressing the importance of linkages and customer service in marketing, Taib said it was important that they developed proper networking within and outside the State and involve themselves in e-commerce.

He called on DUBS to initiate the setting up of an e-commerce programme for small Bumiputera entrepreneurs so that they, too, would be able to benefit from the numerous business opportunities available through the IT network.

On the challenges ahead, he was optimistic that DUBS would continue to provide a platform for unity among Bumiputera entrepreneurs in their efforts to break new frontiers.

He hoped that those who had been successful in business would lend a helping hand to upgrade their counterparts who were still in the lower rung. He reminded them to discard unnecessary jealousy which could jeopardise the foundation of Bumiputera business community.

 “Every step we take is a step further away from base. So we must build a strong foundation and good governance is important for the future of Bumiputera entrepeneurs,” Taib said emphatically.