Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar said the programmes, held in partnership with state governments, government agencies, regional corridor development agencies, government-linked companies and the private sector spurred sustainable Bumiputera participation in the economy. He refuted claims that Teraju had allegedly failed to effectively distribute funds and steer Bumiputera entrepreneur development initiatives. On the contrary, RM2 billion was set aside under the Bumiputera Facilitation Fund, in collaboration with the Public-Private Partnership Unit, for 363 projects worth RM10.47 billion, he said in a written reply to a question from Datuk Juslie Ajirol (PKR-Libaran) at the Dewan Rakyat here today. Abdul Wahid said 323 Bumiputera companies nationwide obtained RM1.26 billion from the fund. In addition, he said 991 companies nationwide benefitted from the High-Performing Bumiputera Companies (Teras) Programme, for which 86 per cent were in the service sector while the rest in the manufacturing sector. He said Teraju also provided opportunities and initiatives for Bumiputera companies to take part in mega projects with commitments of nearly RM36.05 billion. The projects include the MRT Line 1, Menara Warisan Merdeka, the Bukit Bintang City Centre, the MATRADE Exhibition Centre, the MARA Aerospace Centre, and the Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway, he added. Under the Jejak Jaya Bumiputera Scheme, 10 Bumiputera companies have been listed, with a market capitalisation of RM4.99 billion, with the help of Ekuiti Nasional Bhd which provides the “last-mile support”, he said, adding that 15 more Bumiputera companies held potential for listing. Abdul Wahid said Teraju also allocated RM100 million under the Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Startup Scheme for new companies and provided 13 Bumiputera entrepreneurship training programmes at the National Entrepreneurship Institute with an allocation of RM15 million. — Bernama