KUALA TERENGGANU, June 2 — Bumiputera ownership should not be confined to small-scale businesses but must progress towards controlling larger segments of the value chain, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said Bumiputera entrepreneurs should no longer be viewed merely as small vendors, ancillary suppliers or players at the end of the industrial chain, but instead be elevated to become principal manufacturers, technology owners and market leaders.
“In the halal industry, for instance, Malaysia’s strength cannot stop at certification alone. Halal must become a value chain that we control, from raw materials, processing, packaging and logistics to marketing and international markets.
“That is why the proposal to establish a consortium of large-scale Bumiputera anchor companies to produce critical raw materials such as halal gelatine, enzymes and active pharmaceutical ingredients should be regarded as a strategic move. We must reduce dependence on imports and build Bumiputera capabilities in high-value halal sectors,” he said when delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Economic Convention (KEUB) at the Terengganu Equestrian Resort here today.
At the same time, he said many Bumiputera entrepreneurs in the food and franchise sectors possessed quality products but continued to face challenges in terms of costs, operational scale, standards and market access.
“Therefore, approaches such as group purchasing, centralised commercial kitchens and franchise incubator models can serve as pathways to consolidate purchasing power, standardise quality and elevate Bumiputera brands to a higher level,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid also urged more Bumiputera entrepreneurs to venture into future-oriented sectors such as aero-tech, drones, automation and high-technology industries.
“Bumiputera youths cannot remain merely consumers of these technologies. They must become technicians, designers, component suppliers, service providers, and, ultimately, owners within the industrial value chain.
“This is the true meaning of economic empowerment. Bumiputera entrepreneurs must be moved out of limited and restricted spaces into more strategic positions within the nation’s value chain,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the measurement of Bumiputera economic success must be redefined, no longer focusing solely on participation but placing greater emphasis on control and ownership in high-value economic sectors.
“For too long, we have measured success through participation. How many Bumiputeras are in business, how many entrepreneurs use digital platforms, and how many youths are involved in the gig economy. All these are important, but they are not sufficient because in today’s economy, particularly in the digital platform space, participation does not necessarily lead to ownership.
“That is why the true value of the digital economy lies not merely in transactions. Its real value is in platform ownership, data control and equity creation. In that spirit, I would like to see a bolder effort to develop large-scale, competitive Bumiputera digital platforms capable of becoming Malaysian brands,” he said.
In addition, Ahmad Zahid said Bumiputeras must move beyond being technology users and become value creators through technology to remain relevant and competitive in the new economy driven by data, automation and artificial intelligence (AI).
Accordingly, he said the necessary shift was to build Bumiputera strength in the technology sector so that they would not merely use applications but become application developers and owners of technology solutions.
Ahmad Zahid also called for the entire Bumiputera economic ecosystem to be mobilised in a more integrated manner, uniting policy, capital, technology, talent, markets and courage into a national movement capable of delivering meaningful impact.
“I believe that when Bumiputeras own platforms, master technology and lead value chains, we will not only build a stronger economy but also a community that is more confident about its future,” he said. — Bernama
