But PKMM president Mokhtar Samad said Bumiputera contractors must also be prepared to compete and learn new things.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Council of Eminent Persons in the city centre today, Mokthar said he had voiced the association’s hopes that the government would continue to help Bumiputera contractors.

“Tun Daim Zainuddin and the others gave their assurance that Bumiputera contractors won’t be left behind.

“Daim said the government will help anyone with talent and ability because this country is home to Bumiputera and non-Bumiputeras.”

Mokthar said while agreeing, he told them that Bumiputera contractors still needed assistance.

He said Daim had said the government would help them in “better ways” than the previous administration but declined to elaborate.

As president, Mokthar said, he was satisfied with Daim’s assurance, noting that the former finance minister was a contractor and developer himself.

“To all PKMM members, don’t worry or doubt. The government will help us, but we must also be prepared to compete and learn new things.”

Although he declined to divulge other details from the meeting, he said Daim had told him that it would not be the last.

He said the meeting had lasted 24 minutes, and that Daim had been like a “doctor” who listened carefully to his “patient”.