ECONOMIC REFORMS WILL NOT DISRUPT STABILITY,SAYS M'SIAN PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government will ensure any
introduction of difficult reforms in the economy will be done sensitively
without disrupting its stability, said Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said the country can no longer rest on the
methods and approaches of the past.

"We will face more such choices in the coming months and years. Let me assure
you that we will always support business growth.

"We will support families and Malaysians who need help most and will introduce
any difficult reforms sensitively and with an eye on maintaining stability," he
said in his speech delivered at the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of
Malaysia Dinner Friday.

Najib said the country not only needed policy changes but a change
in overall national mindset to achieve its goal of a high-value, high-income and
high skill economy that can compete on the world stage.

"As an example, whether it is subsidies or broadening the tax base, we must
consider whether we want to put off these choices to another time or for our
future generation," he said.

Najib also called on the national chamber and trade organisations to bring about
greater awareness and understanding of global challenges and opportunities to
the business community and society.

"I strongly stress upon the business community to understand the
implications of a more integrated regional economy," he said, adding that they
should seriously look into the matter.

Najib said the government was not always the best driver of creativity and
innovation for the nation as such there was a need for mutual strong partnership
between the public and private sectors.

"We are all aware that businesses that succeed are those that look ahead;
innovators that look beyond the short-term challenges and seek to chart new
paths to growth," he added.

The Prime Minister said the government would, however, do its part to unleash
such creativity and back those who move into new sectors of the economy through
various measures such as green technology financing programme.

Meanwhile, Najib also presented NCCIM Awards 2009 to Naza Group of
Companies Joint Group Executive Chairman SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin, who also bagged
the emerging Chief Executive Award.

Institutions that bagged the NCCIM Awards 2009 were HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd,
Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Bhd, Maybank Bhd and Felda Holdings.
-- BERNAMA



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