Bumiputra

I came across an advertisement posted by Shell in the newspaper today. I get a bit pissed off by that advertisement because that Company asked bumiputra (local Malays) to submit their application to tender an ownership to operate a petrol station. Why only bumiputra? Why it is not open for public? Why isn’t it a fair competition among everyone? Come to think about it, 2 months ago I have submitted my application to tender the rights to operate petrol station (Caltex). Of course it gone 音讯全无. I did not spend time to investigate as I know the probability for me of getting it is like 1/10,000 or even lesser. Furthermore, there are a lot of reasons why I don’t put effort to investigate it further. It just don’t worth the effort.

I just want to try my luck. I have spent time in preparing all the documents for submission. The evidence of the capital sufficiency. For example bank statements, share certificates, fixed deposit certificate, u named it. The application has put in the way that me, my brother and mother will jointly run this business. I know exactly what the problems are. Firstly, I am not bumiputra. Secondly, my application was tender by me, a peanut in town, with no Datuk or Tan Sri kind of people in the joint venture. These 2 points are more than enough not to shortlist my application. What the hell!!!

This is what you call fair competition in Malaysia. Bumiputra versus non-bumiputra! Hopefully I m not going to catch by the police because I am raising some sensitive issue here.