I totally disagree with what Maybank has done on the '50% bumi equity requirement' measure, therefore I have decided to close Maybank account.
The issue is not whether it's bumi or non-bumi, but to make Malaysia a better country we must make ALL decision on ' MERIT' not race, not religion.
KUALA LUMPUR: Maybank has come under fire from MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek for its requirement to law firms that it must have at least three bumiputra partners, one of whom must have a 50% stake, before these firms can do any business with the bank.
Describing the move as discriminatory, he said many Malaysians had expressed their disappointment with the bank for its decision.
“On one hand, we are talking about racial integration but on the other hand, we are adopting such positions which are racial in nature,” he said.
Dr Chua, who is the Health Minister, questioned the existence of such a ruling, adding how Malaysia could compete globally if a government-linked company like Maybank still adopted such a position.
Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen also questioned the bank’s move as firms that provided the best professional services should be the criteria for selection.
“We should learn to be more competitive because we are liberalising our financial services. What Maybank is doing is not in sync with what the Government is doing,” the Wanita MCA chief said.
Dr Ng said the move taken by Maybank may be an internal decision but she said the Wanita MCA regretted the action as it had no legal basis and was certainly not in line with the spirit of the Federal Constitution. Another unnamed bank was also reportedly to have made a similar decision.
She said Maybank was dealing with lawyers who were professionals and ethnic composition should not be an issue, adding that law firms should be judged on their abilities.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai urged Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to intervene as the requirement was discriminatory, adding that the bank should withdraw the ruling immediately.
He hoped Abdullah, who is the Finance Minister, would step in to resolve the issue, adding that MCA Youth was disappointed with the decision as it would tarnish the image of Malaysian companies.
The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry also criticised the move, saying it prevented businesses from operating freely; while Bar Council chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan said all lawyers should be judged on their merit and that the council would be writing to Bank Negara on the matter.