YESTERDAY, PKR secretary general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail questioned Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) for only giving one bumiputera company licence to operate digital bank out of five successful applicants.
“Out of the five companies, only one is a bumiputera company. I’m confident there are many qualified bumiputera fintech companies which are qualified to be granted licences as well,” the former minister said, in a statement on Facebook.
However, netizens were unimpressed with Saifuddin playing racial narrative over a digital banking license and took to social media to criticise the PKR leader.
User Ahmad Azhar said:
Echoing Ahmad Azhar’s sentiments, user Chin Han Hui added:
Netizen Lim KK retorted:
Two days ago, BNM announced that it had granted three digital banking licenses, under Financial Services Act 2013.
They are a consortium of Boost Holdings Sdn Bhd and RHB Bank Berhad, a consortium led by GXS Bank Pte Ltd and Kuok Brothers Sdn Bhd and a consortium led by Sea Limited and YTL Digital Capital Sdn Bhd.
The other two were awarded licenses under the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013. They are a consortium of AEON Financial Service Co Ltd, AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad and MoneyLion Inc; and a consortium led by KAF Investment Bank Sdn Bhd.
Leave politics out of business
Saifuddin is now in the race for the PKR deputy presidency, which was left vacant following Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s defection to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
Also in the race for the coveted post is PKR vice president Rafizi Ramli, who is seen favoured among the younger members of the party as Saifuddin is seen as a “pro-establishment” candidate.
On that note, user Oon Kian Khong urged Saifuddin to not look into things from a racial lens, especially when it comes to granting business licences as merit should be the primary consideration.
Netizen Boon Han jested: “Well said bro…..U really have the great potential to join umno what if u lost your deputy seat in coming party election. best hedge statement.” – May 1, 2022
Main photo credit: The Star
