PM NAJIB HAS POSITIONED MALAYSIA'S ECONOMY ON RIGHT PLATFORM

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 (Bernama) -- Exactly a year into holding the helm of
Malaysia, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has been successful in
steering the country away from the global economic crisis and placing it on the
right platform, say several economic analysts here.

Senior Advisor with Asian Institute of Finance, Prof Dr Sudin Haron
said the prime minister's first success was getting the country out of the
global economic crisis with the right economic stimulus packages.

"When I say the right economic stimulus package, it means being able to see
the results both in the short and long term.

"In the short term, we have found that the country has recorded a positive
growth rate and in the long term, the economic growth would be something
sustainable and long lasting," he told Bernama in an interview here.

Prof Sudin was commenting on the country's performance in this one year
under the administration of Najib.

Najib who is also Finance Minister will mark his first anniversary as the
leader of the country Saturday, April 3.

The economic stimulus package by the prime minister was the most appropriate
measure taken, Prof Sudin said.

"So were the monetary and fiscal policies which were suited for the
prevailing economic climate and in facing the global economic situation.

"I believe in the one year, the prime minister has been successful in
steering the country towards the right direction and increasing its economic
achievements."

The National Key Results Area (NKRA) and the Key Performance Indicators
(KPI) introduced by Najib were also timely and most appropriate measures.

These two mechanisms will be vital in creating an efficient and effective
administration, Prof Sudin said, adding that these two were already practiced by
companies.

"Having absorbed them in the country's administration means the objectives
to be achieved by the country have been made clear."

With this, the clarity on what needs to be done will also be there for civil
servants, he said.

"To me, this is a very important change for achieving a developed nation
status in 2020."

Prof Sudin said the NKRA and KPI were tools that would see through projects
in a more efficient and effective manner.

"And they would be relevant to the New Economic Model (NEM) framework which
the prime minister has tabled.

"One of the models under the NEM is related to high income, and high income
can be achieved if the elements of efficiency and effectiveness exist," he
pointed out.

For Malaysia to progress further in the main sector, Prof Sudin also felt
that the first thing to do would be to strengthen the human capital.

"The first thing is the need for a drastic shift in the mind set.

"Secondly is the change in economic element. This is important and thirdly I
feel we need to have a Benchmark Index.

"The Benchmark Index is important as it would create a situation whereby
those contributing more will be rewarded or given incentives.

"But those performing below the index need to be improved and given the
suitable trainings.

"When there is a mechanism for benchmarking, it would be easier to achieve a
project that we have set and this will also help us avoid any wastage," he said.

Meanwhile, the President of Malaysian Investors Association (MIA), Dr
PHS Lim said that while Najib took office as Prime Minister at a hard time when
the global economy was affected by a crisis originating from the United
States, he had set some policies which were well received.

These included the liberalisation of the services industries, he said.

His recent announcement of the NEM calling for a more level playing field
should be appreciated too, he said.

"The open procurements and tenders are good practices."

On the political front, Lim said Najib was able to ward off many of the
pressures and political confrontations from the Pakatan Rakyat (People's Alliance).

The IMalaysia vision is successful and all parties should sincerely
implement it, he said.

"We wish him, the government and all Malaysians every success, well being
and prosperity, he added.

--BERNAMA