Tak Boleh
I was at a production house yesterday, doing some post-work on some TVCs, and who did we bump into? My ex-boss Yasmin.
She sat down with us for a short yarn while we waited for our clients to arrive. And what she told us about Petronas made me feel that maybe there's hope for this country yet.
She was telling us that she loves doing work for them because they are not driven by any political parties, and because they don't discriminate by skin colour.
You see, pre-independence, petrol stations were owned by different people of different races. Malay, Chinese, Indian, Etc. Everybody had an equal chance if they were able. Post-independence, well, things became a little different.
Thanks to the New Economic Policy, new petrol station contracts in the country were given only to certain racial groups (read, ONE), apparently because they were not given equal opportunity to thrive during colonial rule. I remember my dad telling me that old petrol stations owned by the non-favoured races were also systematically bought over after independence.
Now, decades later, the economic situation for people the NEP protects has more than improved. But this distinct 'advantage' or 'disadvantage' depending on where you stand, is still enforced. Not only for petrol stations, but for practically everything else.
But. Petronas goes to the Ministry of Trade every year to appeal for change, so that contracts can be given out equally to entrepreneurs of all races. Or at the very least, given according to the current racial ratio - approximately 60% Malay, 30% Chinese, 10% Indian & Others.
Every year, the appeal is rejected.
The ratio currently stands at 90% Malay and 10% Others (all P.O.Es). It'll probably stay that way for awhile. But at least we know Petronas tries, and wants to make it fair for all.
I didn't know this about Petronas.
But now I do.
It doesn't change anything.
But it's good to know.
It won't make me pump petrol at their stations.
But now I'd probably feel better about it if I do.
She sat down with us for a short yarn while we waited for our clients to arrive. And what she told us about Petronas made me feel that maybe there's hope for this country yet.
She was telling us that she loves doing work for them because they are not driven by any political parties, and because they don't discriminate by skin colour.
You see, pre-independence, petrol stations were owned by different people of different races. Malay, Chinese, Indian, Etc. Everybody had an equal chance if they were able. Post-independence, well, things became a little different.
Thanks to the New Economic Policy, new petrol station contracts in the country were given only to certain racial groups (read, ONE), apparently because they were not given equal opportunity to thrive during colonial rule. I remember my dad telling me that old petrol stations owned by the non-favoured races were also systematically bought over after independence.
Now, decades later, the economic situation for people the NEP protects has more than improved. But this distinct 'advantage' or 'disadvantage' depending on where you stand, is still enforced. Not only for petrol stations, but for practically everything else.
But. Petronas goes to the Ministry of Trade every year to appeal for change, so that contracts can be given out equally to entrepreneurs of all races. Or at the very least, given according to the current racial ratio - approximately 60% Malay, 30% Chinese, 10% Indian & Others.
Every year, the appeal is rejected.
The ratio currently stands at 90% Malay and 10% Others (all P.O.Es). It'll probably stay that way for awhile. But at least we know Petronas tries, and wants to make it fair for all.
I didn't know this about Petronas.
But now I do.
It doesn't change anything.
But it's good to know.
It won't make me pump petrol at their stations.
But now I'd probably feel better about it if I do.
Labels: ranting
says Wandernut on Friday, March 16, 2007
4 wandered by:
~~~~~~~~~~geekchic
That's good to hear. I need hope too. But, yea, this is good. At least a group of people have the conscience to want to make a change.
there is hope yet.
but probably one of the many real efforts for the 'rakyat jelata' that will never see the light of day. not anytime soon anyway.
there's still (a glimmer of) hope.
let me rephrase.
but probably one of the FEW real efforts for the 'rakyat jelata' that will never see the light of day. not anytime soon anyway.
there's still (a glimmer of) hope.
A protectionist economic policy like the NEP is economically inefficient, and I should think that most companies would prefer to do away with it so they can hire better qualified or more hardworking employees as it improves production. Petronas is acting rationally to boost their productivity and competitiveness which could increase their earnings. Therefore, I see nothing particularly benevolent about their efforts to do away with the quota system. I'm just relieved to know that an institution like Petronas has reasonable, intelligent leaders with good business sense.
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