ONE YEAR ON LEVEL 5: SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH THE PRIME MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 (Bernama) -- One year has gone by but to Najib
Razak it was as though it was only yesterday that he had taken
the helm as the sixth Malaysian prime minister on April 3, 2009.
Within the one year, he had tried to put into place the foundation and
strategy to implement transformation programmes to enable the country to achieve
greater progress so that the people would enjoy a better quality of life.
In the programme "One Year On Level 5: Interview With the Prime
Minister" broadcast by BERNAMA TV tonight, Najib spoke about his aspiration to
see the people supporting the transformation efforts that he was working on.
Explaining further the idea behind the 1Malaysia Concept, he said his
plans, among others, were to raise the people's per capita income, provide an
investment climate that was conducive to investors and promote an economy based
on innovations.
Following is the transcript of the interview with the Prime Minister
by the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Bernama, Zulkefli Salleh and Economic Service
Editor Mikhail Raj Abdullah:

Q: Assalamualaikum Datuk Seri. Firstly, congratulation on your first
anniversary as Prime Minister. What are your feelings (as Prime Minister) so
far?

A: Firstly, I'm most thankful that I could carry out the trust of the
people in the last one year. The one-year duration went by very quickly. I feel
it was only yesterday that I had taken over the task.
It's probably because when we are too busy all the time, and many
things and programmes have been introduced, implemented in terms of policy, new
approaches and so on, the time passed by very quickly. But I'm thankful that
during the past one year, we could introduce many new initiatives which appear
to have produced satisfactory results and probably this had to a certain extent
given the people more confidence in the government.

Q: There are only 365 days in a year, but it appears that Datuk Seri
has had time to put into place the foundation and strategy to determine the
direction to be taken to achieve your vision and objectives. But are the
initiatives to put into place the necessary foundations completed at this stage
or are there still others yet to come?

A: I feel they are sufficient in terms of determining and drawing up
the main agenda of the government. So, the four main thrusts that I have
mentioned, the latest being the New Economic Model (NEM) that has been
completed, that would complement the main agenda of the government.
Subsequently, we must focus on implementation so that everything that we have
introduced could be implemented and absorbed, and accepted by the people and
also the market.

Q: Several months after Datuk Seri took over the national leadership,
Datuk Seri introduced the 1Malaysia Concept, which to me has begun to show
positive signs in terms of racial solidarity, regain support for the government
and build up hope for a better future for the people. Is 1Malaysia merely a
political slogan to win the people's support or something more than that?

A: The 1Malaysia Concept is more than that because if we don't have
any principle to base it on, then we can probably say that it is a political
rhetoric or political slogan. But 1Malaysia can be closely analysed. For
example, I had said that basically the change is in terms of our mindset, where
it begins with tolerance and later progresses to acceptance. It means that we
accept things positively.
Thirdly, what is most important is that we can capitalize on this
diversity to turn it into a national asset, as a strength for the country and it
would be even better if we could translate the diversity into a strategic
advantage whether in the domestic context or in terms of our relationship with
other countries.

Q: But, Datuk Seri, is the 1Malaysia slogan sufficient to win back the
support of the people which had slumped during the 2008 general election?

A: I did not stop merely at 1Malaysia. I had analysed the meaning and
basic principles behind the 1Malaysia concept. I also said 1Malaysia, People
First. So, whatever we do, we always place the interest of the people above
everything else. And, thirdly, to ensure performance. 'Performance Now' means
that I don't want to look at programmes or projects but effectiveness, results.
The outcome is more important than output.

Q: Datuk Seri, the response to 1Malaysia has been so good to the
extent that I see as if the opposition themselves are afraid of its power of
attraction. Some are even saying that Datuk Seri had the idea of the 1Malaysia
Concept from an unfriendly country, namely Israel.

A: This is a total lie and, even in Parliament, no evidence was
adduced to show that the idea had come from another country, Israel or any other
country for that matter. They try to destroy or tarnish the concept because the
concept is most acceptable to the people, the percentage is very high They dare
not attack the 1Malaysia Concept, they could not dispute it, so they try to
destroy, tarnish the concept by alleging that the idea purportedly came from
another country. This is slander, completely unfounded.

Q: If that is the case, can Datuk Seri disclose where you obtained the
idea for such a concept?

A: I discussed with several of my friends because I had said that it
was most important for us to come up with new initiatives towards national
solidarity. So, I frequently invited various groups for discussion and exchange
of ideas and when I outlined the idea, when we had brainstorming, the idea of
the 1Malaysia Concept had come up.

Q: As of now, what is the impact? Has it been effective or does Datuk
Seri need more time?

A: In terms of knowing what is 1Malaysia, the percentage can be said
to be high. It's just that they need to have a deeper understanding of the
concept. This is our task. Anything that is new will certainly take time to
explain so that it could be accepted and appreciated by the rakyat (people).
But I notice that the 1Malaysia symbol, for example, has been well
received, just like I wear it. The 1Malaysia pin is so popular. Subsequently,
many corporate bodies have used 1Malaysia as their symbol. They use the
1Malaysia font in their corporate logo. The 1Malaysia greeting, for example, is
becoming very common now, and there is even the '1Malaysia wedding'. So, I see
that it has become a mass movement. The success of any concept should not be a
statement only to the government and leaders but it should truly go down to the
grassroots as a mass movement. I think this is an indication that it has been
accepted.

Q: What are the obstacles to the full realisation of the 1Malaysia
Concept?

A: Probably the lack of understanding by the people or maybe there are
still people who remain in their own cocoon. People who are of the opinion that
only their own group or community is important and there is no effort at uniting
the people of Malaysia. And as an individual, we may have prejudices, racial
sentiments and so on, like the church-burning incidents or the throwing of a
pig's head into a mosque compound, and so on.
This means that there are still extremists in our society. It is
because of this extremism that we must have the 1Malaysia Concept.

Q: If we were to have a contest between 1Malaysia and Middle Malaysia,
which one would win?

A: I believe not many people probably talk about Middle Malaysia, it's
probably almost forgotten. Even the opposition don't really talk about Middle
Malaysia. So, don't ask me about it, probably because I mooted the 1Malaysia
Concept. But if we ask the rakyat, we can get the actual answer.

Q: Under the 1Malaysia Concept, there are the NKRA (National Key
Result Areas), GTP (Government Transformation Programme), New Economic Model
(NEM). But in terms of their implementation, we see that the GTP is probably
progressing smoothly but appreciation from the public is rather lacking. So, I
feel that Datuk Seri's desire to become a transformist is not understood by the
rakyat. So, what measures are you taking to ensure that the people accept this
idea?

A: This will probably be a long journey. I believe that if we can show
positive impact that can be measured by the people, and the people could feel
the changes, for example when we want to fight crime and we look at the
statistics, the crime rate has come down and in the first month of this year the
street crime rate had dropped to 13.7 per cent compared to the corresponding
period in the previous year, and we could deploy more policemen. My target
actually was to deploy an addition of more than 7,000 policemen for patrol duty.

Mobile police stations can now be seen in many places and the number
of CCTVs will also be increased. We also have more than 300,000 Rakan Cop
members, Rela (People's Voluntary Corps) members, JPAM (Civil Defence
Department) volunteers and so on. So if we put all these initiatives together
and within this one year if our success or failure is evaluated at the end of
2010, I believe the rakyat will have confidence in the GTP if we show positive
results.
Q: Datuk Seri, that's from the aspect of crime. In terms of the
government delivery system, how has if affected non-urbanites' dealings with
government departments? Has there been an improvement in the delivery system of
the departments concerned?

A: I have stressed rural development in one of our NKRAs, which is to
improve aspects of rural infrastructure in terms of roads, electricity and water
supply and housing.
If we can show that since the NKRAs were launched, how many roads were built by
2010, how many kampungs (villages) received electricity and water supply and how
many houses were built and other development and we make available the data to
the people so that they can see that if before they had to wait for such things
for a long time but now it's is different, I believe the people's trust in us
will increase.

Q: But what I am afraid, Datuk Seri, even now we have built many roads
in kampungs (villages). But in these kampungs the Barisan Nasional lost. Their
people hold the view that the provision of infrastructure facilities is the
government's responsibility. Their concern is making a living . bread and butter
issues. Has there been an improvement in this?

A: That is why I said from the aspect of infrastructure, and this is
also linked to improving the quality of life besides giving us market
accessibility. For example, if before our kampung did not have roads but now it
has. This means all the produce from our kampung can be more easily marketed and
outsiders will have easier access to our kampung. We will not feel that we have
been left out of mainstream development.
Secondly, we are also expanding the social safety net under the e-kasih
programme whereby 43,000 have been registered under it and will be getting aid
from the Welfare Department. We also have a training programme to produce 2,000
more women entrepreneurs. This comes under our NKRA initiative. Under the
economic transformation programme, we already have initiatives and programmes to
raise the income of people in rural areas.

Q: Just now Datuk Seri mentioned this is a journey. But the GTP roadshow
was only held in three places. How to convince all Malaysians if held in PJ
(Petaling Jaya), Sabah and Sarawak only? How about Kelantan, Johor?

A: We are doing it in stages because the officers involved are really
tied down now. Not only we have to do roadshows but laboratories, the laboratory
on subsidies for example. It takes a long time. There are times the officers
brainstorm late into the night and even till the next morning.
We have to give them time. Our roadshows will reach all states.

Q: On corruption, the people feel it is difficult to eradicate it. How
is the government going to solve this problem?

A: Our commitment is to meet the standards set by the International
Transparency Index, which encompasses various aspects. For example, yesterday
when I launched the "MyProcurement" portal at the Finance Ministry, it is a step
towards high transparency because almost all government projects will be done by
open tender.
This I believe will help us improve our rating. We are also in the process of
introducing the Whistleblower (Act). This is also something good. It means
whoever provides information to the government will be protected and even
rewarded if the information given leads to the conviction of those in the wrong.

Q: Datuk Seri, your late father Tun Abdul Razak, our second prime
minister, made many walkabouts but mainly in rural areas and the deep interiors.

Datuk Seri has also inherited this trait but if we are not mistaken yours has
been more in urban areas than rural ones. Perhaps in future Datuk Seri has
plans to visit my kampung?

A: (Laughs) Actually it is about the same, it's just that the
demographic situation in the country has changed. Then the 60s and 2010 now,
after more than 40 years many changes have taken place whereby the percentage of
people living in urban areas is higher than rural areas. That is one, and the
other thing is that I prefer my visits to be spontaneous. This is easier in
urban areas.
However, I have also visited many rural areas. For example, when I went to
Sarawak, I visited longhouses, a little hamlet in Semunjan, even areas in Rascom
(Rajang Area Security Command). These are real rural areas and besides these
areas, I have also been to Felda settlements and when I was on holiday in
Langkawi for the Chinese New Year, I went to a fishing village and managed to
solve problems they were facing. Maybe initially I started off with Brickfields,
Petaling Street and Pantai Dalam (in Kuala Lumpur). That was the beginning
stage. I plan to visit more rural areas and also places that need my attention.

Q: Datuk Seri, after Datuk Seri made the walkabouts, ministers and MPs
did not appear to follow suit.

A: No. They embarked on their own programmes and now we have the Juara
Rakyat and others and more in the pipeline. If they do walkabouts, they do not
get press coverage, because they are ordinary MPs. But when the Prime Minister
goes down (to the ground), the media will follow and give extensive coverage. In
terms of yardstick of measurement, it is not very fair. Don't measure from the
aspect of media coverage, see it from the point of actual activities carried
out.

Q: The people sometimes claim that they only do many walkabouts just
before an election.

A: (Laughs) No, not true. They know their responsibilities. If you want to
succeed, want to win an election, do not wait until election comes to become
busy. People today are very smart, they are very knowledgeable, they know how to
evaluate us.

Q: Speaking about ministers and MPs, are their report cards in?

A: We monitor what they are doing. I promised to assess the performance
of ministers. That was done after six months. For elected representatives, our
headquarters does the monitoring and they know who are those who are working
hard, meeting constituents and solving the people's problems.

Q: Were there any who failed, Datuk Seri?

A: Usually when there is an election, some are not re-nominated while others
are. Those not re-nominated, it means they failed.

Q: Thus overall their performance is good?

A: Overall I see the performance getting better. Maybe after the 2008
general election, they were shocked a little bit because of the extraordinary
outcome, and in this situation, there was slightly less activity, but now I have
seen a drastic improvement.

Q: A few days ago Datuk Seri made a pledge that the per capita income of
the people would rise to US$15,000 ... everyone seemed happy. But there were
also detractors who asked whether this was too good to be true when in Sabah and
Sarawak, even basic facilities are lacking.

A: This is average income. When I say average income, there will be people
who earn more and others less. That is what average income means. Obviously not
everyone will be earning US$15,000. This we have to understand. It is the same
in any country. There will be rich people and there will be poor people. But
what we want is that the poor should not be overly poor to the point of being
destitute.

Q: Datuk Seri, there are criticisms that the federal government is taking
the resources of Sabah and Sarawak and not reciprocating with development. What
are your comments, Datuk Seri?

A: That is not true. A lot of allocations we approve are for Sabah and
Sarawak.
In terms of the Constitution, for example, they have no right to their offshore
oilfields but we reciprocate in our contributions to the state governments, and
on top of that, we make provisions for additional allocations for rural
infrastructure with most of the money going to Sabah and Sarawak.
We have pledged, for example, that electricity and water supply will reach 90
per cent of households (in Sabah and Sarawak) from the 60-65 per cent now. The
target is to achieve the 90 per cent by 2102 and it is a very big one really. We
have to realise this objective through additional allocations.

Q: About the economy. This issue is close to you, so can you give some
tangible examples on how well the delivery system is working as far as making
Malaysia an easy place to do business in?

A: Well, first of all, the fact that we were able to turn the economy around
in such a short period of time, especially the fourth quarter, where we managed
to achieve 4.5 per cent growth within a timeframe of three months. This is due
primarily to the fact that the stimulus packages have not only worked but had
been delivered to the ground. Hundreds and thousands of projects, big and small
have been implemented. That, I think is a very clear indication and
manifestation of the success of the government administration including the
civil servants who have been working hard to deliver the stimulus packages. And
as we move forward, I am confident that with the emphasis that we have given,
the civil service will produce the results.

Q: With capital market reforms, market liberalisation and all that, only
three companies from China are listed here. Is there a lukewarm response from
investors? Some people say that the FIC guidelines pertaining to bumiputera
shareholding is coming a little bit too late in the day?

A: But you cannot judge on last year, on the basis last year was a bad year.
I mean the whole world was suffering last year and the fact that we didn't
suffer as much is I think indicative of the level of confidence towards
Malaysia. I am confident that this year, things will get better. As we move
forward, we have to get the market excited about our reforms.

Q: But the day when you launched the NEM, the market was mixed, you know?

A: The market has always discounted whatever announcements you want to make
but they want to see specific details, milestones, timelines and allocations,
incentives. These things, I have said, will come subsequently because it is a
multi-stage announcement and implementation. We had the NEM announced on 30th
March and then we got the 10th of June, which is the 10th Malaysia Plan. We got
more details coming out in August. EPU is going to present more details relating
to the economic transformation programme and the 10th Malaysia Plan and then in
October, when I table the budget, there will be a specific allocation set aside
for the key economic activities that we want to promote.

Q: There seems to be a rethink of some of your policies, on the GST, on the
dual petrol price, on the 15-year old cars and all that. Did the government cave
in to political pressure?

A: Actually no, because the GST I think would require a bit more time for
the public support and buy in. It is partly because the opposition has been
twisting the facts around. So we need time to clarify to the rakyat because it
is something that is good for the people in the long term. And we want to make
sure that things will be implemented smoothly so we said look, it is not a
decision not just to decide but a decision just to defer for a while so that
there will be more buy in for the project. For the GST and certain things we are
receptive to feedback from the public as well. If we think that something we
want to do, does not have the all-round support for it, we are prepared to
review it. I mean people may label us as making a u-turn but in effect we are
quite sensitive to the views and needs of the people. Because I have always said
people first,remember? So people first. If the people are not ready to accept
something, we defer it or we cancel it once and for all but it does not mean it
is because we are buckling down to pressure. It is just that it is all about the
people. It is the people's government. I am stressing a lot that this is the
people's government.

Q: Datuk Seri, you have also referred to the restructuring of the subsidies,
with the holding back on the dual petrol price. Does it mean that we are going
to enjoy the subsidy for quite some time?

A: Yes, you know we have decided that there's a better way of doing it
because the dual price structure is a very complex system and it was not worth
the trouble. When we started analysing the data, we found that it is not worth
the bother, as they say, in terms of the effort you put in and the benefit that
you want to get so we still are going to reduce the subsidies but we will do it
gradually. We don't want to place too much of the burden on the people so it is
going to be a very carefully calibrated implementation.

Q: But some cynics said it might be after the general election?

A: (Laughs) Well, there are always going to be cynics and sceptics but we
know, you just have to take it as a challenge and prove them wrong.

Q: You are talking about the people first. Is the BN government willing to
work with the opposition governments in bringing about development to the
people? Can you cite any instance where the federal and states have cooperated
for the economic development of the people?

A: We have implemented projects in the states that we have lost. For
example, federal projects like schools, clinics, even this 1Malaysia clinics we
have implemented in states that are controlled by the opposition. So one, this
common sort of meeting of the minds, then we don't have problems in implementing
for the people and basically we will be fair. In other words, substantial
allocations are given to the states that are not controlled by Barisan Nasional.

Q: Give us your take on foreign direct investment (FDI). Gone down very
badly last year. What are the options for Malaysia?

A: Last year was a pretty bad year. So you cannot really compare last year
as the basis to say that we are no longer competitive to attract FDI but we do
realise that the economic environment has changed. There are many more new
emerging economies offering very, very attractive rates, considerably much lower
labour cost than we can and some of them are quite substantially large markets.
So the world today is different than it was in the 80s. In the 80s, we still had
the Cold War, you know and a lot of countries had not been converted to market
economy and now, we find that Malaysia needs to compete with many more countries
and they are going to find perhaps old China a big market and is better for them
to invest in China. But I am confident that we are able to attract our share in
FDI this year and next year. The challenge is for us to make ourselves more
competitive, more responsive to the needs of foreign investors but at the same
time not forgetting domestic investors because the model will be forward. It is
going to be model that is going to be a balance between foreign direct investors
and domestic investors so you must also create what you call global domestic
champion who can become regional and global champion because they will provide
the strength to the economy. I mean compared with one investment that is done by
foreign company, say a multinational, and one that is being done by a local
company, the same amount of value investment, surely the investment done by the
local company is going to be a better value for us than the foreign investor.

Q: The financial services liberalization. The number of banks coming in, I
say,that it is not too encouraging - the number. Do you agree?

A: No. I think it is just the beginning. We just announced the second half
of last year and we've already given approval to the largest bank in the world,
the Chinese Bank. They are going to start operation soon. There'll be one bank
from India, and there will be also banks from the Middle East and other parts of
the world. So I think the numbers are beginning to add up and this is just the
beginning. This year we'll see the establishment of these banks and I am sure
they will start stimulating the economy by participating in the availability of
credit and giving information to potential investors and encouraging trade
financing.

Q: Do we have what it takes to become a hub in Islamic banking?

A: We are the leader in the world; we are the number one nation. Sixty per
cent of global sukuks are issued out of Malaysia. And we have one of the finest
Islamic banking and finance training centres conducted by the central bank, Bank
Negara. And we are in the midst of processing two mega Islamic banks, and they
going with a capital of US$1 billion each, and Bank Negara will unveil its plans
for having a physical centre for Islamic banking. There are very, very exciting
times waiting to be unveiled.

Q: What about the halal industry. Ironically the people who are
contributing to the halal (industry) are Argentina, Australia and Brazil. We
are not. But we are aiming to become a hub?

A: Well, anyone can take advantage of the halal market. First of all, we
have the halal brand, which is done by Jakim, and that brand has got a very
strong integrity and reputation. Secondly, we are trying to organize ourselves
to promote Malaysia's halal hub. But we do have to link up with other countries.
For example, if we want to export food, we are net importer, so we still have to
rely on sources from other countries.
But I believe things will pick up in terms of Malaysia as a halal centre.

Q: This is related, when we talk about our competitiveness, it is about
education. The SPM results have been just announced and many people with good
results are complaining they may not get the places they like to pursue their
studies in. When do you think the government can provide better, wider, free
tertiary education?

A: No country in the world can provide free tertiary education. Our
tertiary education is highly subsidised, in terms of operational cost. Only 10
per cent are fees. The rest is cost borne by the government as operating
expenditure and this doesn't include capital expenditure. When you talk about
scholarship, you must not think of sending all your students abroad. If you send
your best students abroad, who are going to fill your universities here. A
university cannot be top of the world or top in the world ranking if their
students are mediocre and your best students are abroad. You can only afford to
send some students abroad to the Ivy League universities, but the rest should
remain here and be sent to our public universities and private universities
here. You know we have the likes of Monash and Nottingham and all that
universities here and they can study to become a doctor here, and the
qualification is recognized worldwide.

Q: But can you somehow create more places for medicine?

A: We are trying to. We cannot forsake quality. You can train doctors but
you need time to build up your competency in providing for a good medical
school, and medical schools don't come cheap because you have to build a
training hospital or a teaching hospital or at least get a hospital where you
can send your doctors, trainees to. And these things do take time. But in terms
of the number of doctors, the figures are quite high for Malaysia and the
challenge is also to bring back people who have qualified. We are training them
but they choose to work abroad.

Q: Datuk Seri, you said about people first. There is third party motor
insurance. There is a lot of criticism against the central bank. They are not
engaging the people, they are only courting these industries. It's a cash cow,
they say. Can the rakyat get a commitment from you that you would tell Bank
Negara to engage the stakeholders, the people and the consumer groups?

A: First of all, the motor industry insurance needs a complete overhaul
because it is a loss-making business in terms of premiums collected and payment.
There is a serious deficit. What is happening is that people are using their
profits from other kinds of insurance, particularly life insurance, to subsidise
motor insurance. But having said that, if there are changes, then all
stakeholders should be consulted and not only the insurance companies but also
consumer groups. Yes, certainly I will tell Bank Negara that they would need to
engage and consult the consumer groups and associations.

Q: One of the attributes of the NEM is that you want to become a high-value
economy. How do you reconcile wanting to be a high-value economy and the
government's desire to keep cost of living low as evidenced by the wide range of
subsidies on essential items?

A: This is why there is a shift now. There is a paradigm shift in our
thinking. That was what was considered appropriate at that particular time. We
wanted to be competitive; we need to be a low-cost producing country. So we kept
the cost of a lot of commodities a lot of services as low as possible. But in
the NEM, we want to stress Malaysia to become an innovative economy. And to
become an innovative economy you need brains. You need talents. And brains and
talents will not want to work in Malaysia, and mind you, that includes
Malaysians as well.
Yes, we do not pay them wage and wages that are commensurate with their
expectations, and wages which they can earn elsewhere. For example, if they work
in the Middle East, they can get paid three times or four times more. Why should
they work in Malaysia? So you can train them here. You pay thousands of ringgit
to train a person, a professional, say an engineer or accountant. Immediately
(when) the person is qualified, off he goes abroad. Isn't that a waste for
Malaysia? Now we realise that keeping the wages and cost down is not the way
forward. The way forward is now to bring up our wage rates to a much higher
level, then we will give our people better income, better quality of life, and
be able to attract and retain people who want to work in Malaysia. And we can
also source global talent, because to become an innovative economy, you have to
get global talents to choose to work in Malaysia.
Q: On bringing the wages up. What about the 1.2 million government employees'
wages?

A: Their wages will be adjusted as we go along, provided productivity goes
up.
What is important is the economy gets stronger, government revenue gets
stronger.
That's why GST is important. People want higher wages, but they not willing to
support GST. So I need the support of 1.2 million government employees. If you
want to be paid better in the future, I have to strengthen the government
revenue base, because otherwise, where do I get the money to pay government
employees, servants? The answer is to support government initiatives because we
want to give a better deal for all our citizens.

Q: Datuk Seri, one of the problems during times of crisis was our employers.
Sometimes, some of them are so unscrupulous. Suddenly, for example, 100 textile
workers are laid off. Things like that shouldn't happen because they work for 25
years and suddenly they lose everything. Under your administration is there any
definitive ruling to employers not to mess around with employees. And If they
are going to get laid off, they should get appropriate severance pay and given
appropriate time and not close the gate the day they come to work.

A: This is taken care of under our labour laws and if our labour laws are
seen to be unjust to the workers then we will review them. You know, where our
own people are not being paid at rates where we crack them to work and if the
employers for example want to engage foreign workers because they can pay work
for foreign workers lower wage rates, then we have to do something about it.
Because, I believe that employers here in this country, should try their level
best to employ more Malaysians. So that the workforce is stable and we do not
overly depend on foreign workers.

Q: Touching on unemployment, the joblessness in our country, how is the rate
now?

A: It is about 3.6 per cent. It is considered full employment. It's not a
full employment when you consider we have 2.2 million foreign guest workers and
another million or so illegal ones. That figure is an intelligence estimate but
most people said that would be an accurate reflection of the actual situation.
What does it mean? It means jobs are available but why don't Malaysians want to
work in such places? Whether it is a factory or Nasi Kandar restaurants,
Malaysians do not want to be doing jobs that are dangerous, dirty or demeaning.
So, for us to get Malaysians to work you have to change the working conditions
and you have to pay them a slightly higher rate. I believe employers should do
this and we should not make it too easy for them to have foreign workers. And if
we can increase the levy on foreign workers to be commensurate with the numbers
that they want to hire, then there comes a point which makes more business and
economic sense for them to engage Malaysians and not foreigners.

Q: Do you like to make the Hulu Selangor (parliamentary by-election) result
a barometer of support for your government?

A: In our system, every time there is a by-election of course we would like
to win. As you know, a by-election is a by-election. The real barometer will be
the general election. Anything that we do can contribute towards the expectation
or the psychology of winning I suppose but the ultimate, the litmus test will
be the 13th General Election.

Q: Perkasa, on their side, they say Malays should own 67 per cent of the
nation's economic wealth? And now you are talking about reviewing and renewing
affirmative policies. So these are divergent states, so how do you reconcile
these two objectives?

A: I didn't say we'll review, do away with the affirmative action, I said
affirmative action remains. What I said we would review is its implementation,
the way it's being implemented so it becomes a fairer way, it becomes more
market friendly, more transparent and more merit based and also more on needs
based. For example, I said that if you want to eradicate property, if you want
to address the lower 40 per cent of the population with income below RM1, 500 a
month, you must also take care of the non-Malay or non-bumiputeras. When you
talk about bumiputeras it is not synonymous with Malays. What about Kadazans,
Ibans, Bidayuhs and the like, they are also bumiputeras and they have the same
rights. So what I'm trying to say is - Look, let us not be too caught up with
certain ways of looking at things, but let us look in a way that really creates
the sense of belonging, that we are together as one nation and one people, but
affirmative action remains. Because the position of bumiputeras is still not to
the level where they should be means we still have to continue but at the same
time rectify the weaknesses. Weaknesses that are obvious in the way that we have
been implementing them in the past.

Q: Implementation weaknesses. But there is still scepticism over open
tender.
Always, there is always discussion, you are calling for open tenders but not
really open. And when talking about transparency, how are you going to change
this under your administration?

A: Well, let me tell you that open tender is really open. Anyone can come
in, and it's going to be posted in the Ministry of Finance portal. So people can
check for themselves, for example if you put in a bid and you are not
successful, you will know who is successful and you know the price of the
company that has been awarded the tender.
So, people can criticise the government if they think that the process has not
been a fair process.

Q: Going abroad, this Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) with the United States
to other countries. We have had eight rounds of negotiations with the United
States on the Free Trade Agreements (FTA), now they are talking about TPP. So
would Malaysia come on board? Is it really very demeaning to have abandoned
after eight rounds of FTA?

A: Well, FTA is complex thing even countries that have agreed on the FTA,
certain segments of the population like in Korea, they had serious
demonstrations against the Korea-US FTA, so FTAs are never that straight
forward, they are complex agreements to work out and they do take time to
finalise. There has been a change in administration in Washington as you know.
If it is the Republican Administration they would probably continue to talk with
us on the bilateral FTA but since the new administration they prefer to work
within a multilateral framework, and so be it. And Malaysia will consider to be
on board the TPP but on terms that are acceptable to us. So this is where we
have to negotiate.

Q: But going back to the drawing Board as far as multilateral .

A: Well it is not our choice.

Q: Are you joining up the TPP then?

A: We have agreed in principle provided the terms are satisfactory. So, now
our people have got to enter into serious negotiations. It might take longer.
Some of the issues are tough issues to resolve. But I don't think they are
insurmountable.

Q: Do you feel very frustrated that people, the media, the political parties
and just about everybody within and outside the government blame you for
everything?
For every mistake going on in the country and any problems, even if there is
landslide they blame you?

A: I don't think people are so unfair. I think people realise that certain
things are beyond your control, certain things are under your purview. It is
just the hazards of the job; you have to accept that, I think that applies to
any head of the government anywhere in the world as long as the people are not
so ridiculous. If they are putting the ball (and) it doesn't go into the hole
they can't blame me as the Prime Minister. I mean people can be so ridiculous at
times but they must realise that there are limitations. You can only do your
best. I don't lose sleep over it. I work very hard, I work long hours, I'm
serious about transforming this nation and the time will come when the people
will judge me and I'm sure the Malaysian public will judge me fairly.
-- BERNAMA