MAJOR TRANSFORMATION IN NATIONAL ECONOMY TO MOVE FORWARD - NAJIB

PUTRAJAYA, April 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysian prime minister Najib 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.

He 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 Department at
Dataran Perdana (Perdana Square), here Monday. Also present was the Chief
Secretary to the Government, Mohd Sidek Hassan.

Najib also said that the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) which was
introduced earlier was another challenge to reflect the government's intention
to fulfill 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.

The four main thrusts are the 1Malaysia Concept, "People First, Performance
Now"; Government Transformation Programme (GTP); the New Economic Model; and the
10th Malaysia Plan.

Meanwhile, the four approaches are creative and innovative thinking; quick
decision making; giving priority to results; and maximum value for money for
whatever government expenditure.
-- BERNAMA


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