‘Don’t dissolve the ministry’
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS (The Star- April 13,2009)

PUTRAJAYA: The Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry, which has “given birth to thousands of successful entrepreneurs” over the years, must not be dissolved because it can play a vital role in spurring the economy in the current slowdown.
Wanita Umno exco member Datuk Maznah Abdul Hamid said the ministry was also a “lifeline” for thousands of people, who depend on its guidance, support and financial assistance to enable success in their businesses.
Maznah, who is also Association of Bumiputra Women Entrepreneurs president, said she had received numerous phone calls since news broke that the ministry would be dissolved.
She said many felt lost and questioned the decision, adding that the ministry had done “an excellent job in bring out new business talent.”
“I am shocked and saddened as well. I have been working closely with the ministry for many years and have been a mentor to many budding entrepreneurs.
“I understand their feelings and sentiments and I urge the Government to reconsider the decision.
“With the present economic situation, small and medium enterprises can play an important role in giving the economy a much-needed boost,” said Maznah, who was also the ministry’s ambassador, in an interview here Monday.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had said that all agencies under the ministry had been reorganised and absorbed into several other ministries, including the International Trade and Industry and the Rural and Regional Development ministries.
Maznah said she was willing to have a dialogue with the relevant authorities to impress on them the importance of continuing with the ministry.
“I am confident that problems and challenges can be ironed and sorted out without having to dissolve the ministry,” she said, proposing that the ministry be managed instead by trained civil servants who have the “entrepreneur and intrapreneurship” spirit.
“This is important so that they can relate to the issues raised by entrepreneurs and provide workable solutions to their problems,” she said.

Govt statementIn KUALA LUMPUR, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Government will issue an official statement on the ministry.
“Let’s wait,” he told reporters after he handed over the duties of International Trade and Industry Minister to Datuk Mustapa Mohamed on Monday, Bernama reported.
Several non-governmental organisations such as the Malay Solidarity Action Body and Malay Chambers of Commerce Malaysia and Gua Musang Member of Parliament Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah were reported to have expressed concerns over the fate of bumiputra entrepreneurs since there would no longer be a ministry that specifically looks after their interests.
Eleven agencies were previously placed under the ministry, including Mara, Tekun Fund, Bank Pembangunan, Bank Rakyat, SME Bank, Malaysian Cooperatives Commission and Urban Development Authority.