PKMM Must Strengthen Policy Literacy To Help Malay Contractors Seize New Opportunities

KOTA BHARU, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- The Malay Contractors Association of Malaysia (PKMM) needs to strengthen its role in enhancing policy literacy among its members to ensure Malay contractors are better prepared to seize economic opportunities arising from changes in national development policies and direction.

Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shahar Abdullah said Malay contractors must undergo a mindset shift by moving away from conventional business approaches and developing a stronger understanding of economic developments and government policies.

He said this was crucial as economic opportunities and government development projects were generally driven by policies formulated in advance.

“Malay contractors should no longer view business activities through the lens of outdated approaches. They need to look at future business prospects, as the future economic landscape has already been outlined in the 13th Malaysia Plan.

“Economic and construction opportunities arise from established policies. Therefore, an understanding of these policies must be instilled,” he told reporters after officiating the annual general meeting of the Kelantan chapter PKMM here last night.

Mohd Shahar said his office was ready to collaborate with PKMM to identify the best approaches to enhance Malay contractors’ understanding of government policies and strategies.

He said PKMM’s role should go beyond gathering the views and concerns of its members, stressing that the association should also help strengthen their understanding of government policies and strategic direction.

“This is particularly important given the changing global economic landscape, which is being shaped by geoeconomic and geopolitical factors.

“Malay contractors must also pay greater attention to financing, particularly by building sustainable financial capacity to help them navigate future challenges,” he said.

He added that inadequate preparation in terms of financing and business capacity could result in Malay contractors missing out on opportunities arising from national development policies.

-- BERNAMA