GTP INITIATED BY M'SIAN PM NAJIB IN LINE WITH PEOPLE'S WISHES, SAYS FORMER MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 (Bernama) -- The Government Transformation Programme
(GTP) initiated by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is in line with the
wishes of the people, said former cabinet minister Shahrir Abdul Samad.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Johor Baharu (capital of southern Johor
state in Peninsular Malaysia) said what the people wanted was greater security
and more effective and proper services.

In fact, what was carried out by Najib was "not only accepted by the people
but was based on what the people wanted", he said in an exclusive interview with
Mingguan Malaysia (local daily) which was published Sunday.

Since taking over the country's administration on April 3, 2009, Najib
"appears to be on the right track because he had not made any radical change,"
said Shahrir.

Najib had continued with the changes and transformation which had started
since 1997 when Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the Prime Minister, "in an orderly
and systematic manner and he is on the right track", he said.

Shahrir said for example, the New Economic Policy was "not discarded just
like that but it was fine-tuned in the New Economic Model (NEM)."

"We notice that poverty eradication is still going on although there is no
longer any abject poverty and it is being focused on the 40 per cent group of
low-income earners.

"As such what is being done by Najib is more orderly and is a continuation
of the policies initiated previously," he said.

"I observe that the people still want the current government leadership
because they don't want a leadership that is too radical but a government that
is orderly and acts on the policy of continuation that has been improved," he
said.

With regard to the MEB launched by Najib in March, Shahrir said it was a
model that was more focused to assist in the development of those groups earning
less than RM1,500 (US$462) so that they could also benefit from the country's
wealth.


"Thus, what is being done by the Prime Minister is more focused on those at
the lower levels besides recognising the potentials for them to change. If the
MEB progresses smoothly, they will be able to enjoy the development," he said.

Shahrir said that youths who had completed schooling should not think only
of continuing their studies in the universities. In fact, they should pursue
vocational or technical education so that they would not only concentrate on
'white-collar' jobs or office work.

"This is important because this is more needed in the NEM," he said.

-- BERNAMA



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