Rahim, who is chairman of the Malay organisation Gagasan Badan Ekonomi Melayu (Gabem), said megaprojects should include bumiputera participation at all levels as a matter of policy.

He said that although various government bodies had placed a strict policy of providing opportunities for bumiputeras in mega projects, “the problem is when the policy becomes weak, so we want it to be strengthened to enable bumiputeras to participate in suitable fields at all levels”.

He said bumiputera businesses should not be mere observers.

The proposed KL-Singapore high-speed railway involves the building of a 350km track to provide speeds of up to 300km an hour, potentially reducing travelling time to 90 minutes.

Stations along the route that will be new growth centres are Bandar Malaysia, Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat, Iskandar Puteri.

Abdul Rahim said bumiputera enterprises should also be given opportunities to open shops, eateries and other retail outlets in these new growth centres.

He said bumiputeras must not waste any opportunity made available to them and should work very hard. He criticised those who were cynical about the capability of bumiputera companies to take part in mega-projects.

“Under Teraju alone, there are hundreds of Bumiputera companies from across the country which have the capability in various fields and whatever required to participate in big projects,” he said.

Abdul Rahim said Gabem was prepared to help identify suitable bumiputera enterprises to take part.