Growth and ethnic inequality : Malaysia's new economic policy (NEP) / Just Faaland, Jack Parkinson, Rais B. Saniman

Racial riots broke out in Malaysia in 1969 when the Malays felt that they were in danger of losing control of their country and destiny. "The New Economic Policy" (NEP) was adopted as a means of helping them, through the establishment of special institutions and policies, to catch up ultimately with the much wealthier immigrant Chinese. The twenty years prescribed for the NEP have run their course, and the results achieved by it are assessed in this book. Income distribution remains unequal, but Malaysia has become one of the most rapidly growing middle-income developing countries, with a good record of agricultural and industrial development, accompanied by impressive provision of education and other government services. Future progress, and the achievement of national unity, depend greatly on the removal of racial imbalances.