Major transformation in national economy to move forward – PM

KEEPING TIME: Najib looks at his watch to check on the time. At second left is Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala. — Bernama photo

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the major transformation carried out by the government on the national economy is a struggle that is most meaningful to lift Malaysia “out of the trap” of middle income countries.

The prime minister said the initiative was a challenge that he must bear together with the civil servants especially after having led the government for one year.
He said this at the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister’s Depart-ment at Dataran Perdana yesterday.

Also present was the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.
Najib also said that the Government Transform-ation Programme (GTP) which was introduced earlier was another challenge to reflect the government’s intention to fulfil the expectation and aspiration of the people.

Najib took over as Malaysia’s sixth Prime Minister on April 3, 2009 from Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Najib said two other challenges that the government had to face was how to manage a nation that was not only made up of diverse races, religions and culture but also a population that was becoming more critical of the various issues.

“If it was not a major challenge previously, today it is given more attention by the people, the question on changing religion, marriage and divorce, death, the use of the word ‘Allah’ and so on.

“This is a major challenge that we must tackle. The government is always looking at them (such issues) and giving due consideration,” he said.

The Prime Minister said another challenge was how to manage an increasingly sophisticated society in terms of their expectation and aspiration.

The issues that were of concern to the people included how to tackle the new media, openness and so on, he said.

“This is our objective and platform because the future years are meant for implementation and delivery. This is our joint responsibility,” the Prime Minister said.

Najib said the four challenges are related to the four main thrusts and four approaches that he had introduced earlier in efforts to bring changes to Malaysia. — Bernama

April 6, 2010, Tuesday