Johari was quoted saying by the Malay Mail Online that while the Bumiputera agenda was still relevant, it needed to be reviewed in some sectors, including in the automotive industry.
“For certain sectors, we still need to look into it. For example, the automotive industry, we still need to re-look at it.
“I think detailed studies need to be done to make sure whether it’s still relevant or not,” Johari reportedly said in an interview with business radio station BFM’s The Breakfast Grille programme.
He said this in response to a question on whether the social-contract involving Bumiputeras was still applicable today.
In May, Prime Minister Najib Razak announced targets for higher key performance indicators (KPI) in its Bumiputera Empowerment Agenda for government-linked investment companies and top government-linked companies this year.
Najib also reportedly said the government had not fixed a deadline to assist the Bumiputera community.
In the same interview, Johari said Malaysia’s heavy reliance on foreign workers was hampering the country’s salary structure.
He said there was a price gap in the service industry – for example, the hotel industry, that could make way for better pay for locals.
Johari cited hotel prices in the country, which were among the cheapest in the region due to the cheap labour employed.
He said hotels could still raise their prices such as those in Jakarta, Indonesia, in order to accommodate higher salaries for locals.