Malays urged to pursue entrepreneurial careers

Trade body president laments 'true lack of interest in doing business' amongst ethnic Malays

THE president of the Federation of Brunei Malay Entrepreneurs (PPPMB) has reiterated his call for the Malay community to take on more active roles as entrepreneurs and reduce dependence on the government.

A lack of interest in doing business among Malay people is the main reason behind the small size of the Malay business community in Brunei, PPPMB president Dr Hj Abdul Latif Chuchu said.

The president had earlier this year called for locals to depend less on government jobs and stop viewing the practice as a last resort but rather, as a career.

"We want more Malay people to take active roles in business and not to just become consumers. Let business be their careers," he said in a telephone interview with The Brunei Times on Saturday.

Local Malays need not worry about seed capital, he said, as the government already has in place a number of start-up schemes designed to aid entrepreneurs set up shop.

"That (acquiring capital) is not the problem. The real problem is that the Malay people are not interested to do business in Brunei and even if they do, they will only wait upon retirement to do so," said the president.

He expressed disappointment that a big portion of Bruneians are overtly dependent on government jobs, saying that being too dependant on the civil service will create problems for the economy.

Dr Hj Abdul Latif also urged the younger generation to expose themselves to the idea of trading.

"We need more young people in Brunei to cultivate interest in starting and owning a business because they are the future. They will be the ones driving the country's efforts towards economic diversification."

The president pointed out that there are quite a number of Malay businesses registered with PPPMB, but many are "inactive".

"So these are the long-standing problems that our Malay society have faced.

"A true lack of interest in doing business."

He also expressed hope that these issues can be addressed during the inaugural Brunei Malay Merchants and Entrepreneurs Forum in December.

The forum is aimed at providing a platform for businesses to "think and discuss problems and achieve success in the domestic economy and trade industries."

It is also expected to give opportunities for SMEs to exchange ideas express concerns to the relevant authorities.

More than 2,000 SMEs and companies are expected to attend the forum, which will be held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.

The organisers of the forum are the PPPMB, the Brunei Malay Chambers of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI), Women's Business Council, and Cooperatives registered under the Brunei Industrial Development Authority (BINA).

The Brunei Times