KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik Sunday suggested that Malay leaders analysed the causes behind the failure of Malays to achieve 30 per cent share of the economy despite 30 years of affirmative action under the New Economic Policy (NEP).

Dr Lim, who is also Energy, Water and Communications Minister, said without knowing the causes, the reintroduction of the NEP would not guarantee success for the Malays.

"Since 1970 (when the NEP was introduced), 35 years have gone by, we must analyse why the bumiputera percentage has not been achieved. How we achieved 18 per cent (of the target) in the first 15 years and, after 35 years, we have gone backward?" he told a news conference after opening Gerakan Selangor delegates conference here.

Dr Lim expressed concern that the issue could develop into a racial confrontation if the Malays continuously failed to address their weaknesses in the economy.

"If they keep failing to achieve the quota and then ask for more, it will go on and on," he said, adding that the other races would not be able to accept it.

He said the government should teach Malay entrepreneurs not only about how to create wealth but also how to keep and generate more wealth from it.

"Teach them how to do business, give them the chances to become rich, but also teach them how to maintain wealth and build on it. If not, they will spend all that they are given," he said.

On the controversy over Approved Permits (APs) for car imports, Dr Lim said the government needed to look into the issue more seriously as it indicated a fight among Malays.

"AP is a fight over who should be getting the APs...if you have AP you become rich, if you don't then you won't," he said.

Therefore, he said, the government must ensure the AP was given to the right people as "creating one billionaire does not help the economy, especially during a financial crisis".

Earlier in his speech, Dr Lim said the government should focus more on economic growth and wealth creation.

"Without wealth we can only distribute poverty, and poverty leads to chaos. And what's the point of having 30 per cent and 40 per cent of the cake if the cake is rotten? Or if the cake is getting smaller and smaller?" he said.

In order to grow the economy, he said the government must create entrepreneurs from among all races who were able to compete at international level, thus bringing more wealth into the country.