NUBE LAUDS PM'S MERDEKA MESSAGE

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- The National Union of Bank Employees (Nube)
Tuesday described Prime Minister Najib Razak’s Merdeka (Independence) Day
message as visionary and appropriate to propel the nation to greater heights.

Its general secretary, J. Solomon, told Bernama that although Malaysia had
achieved much in its 53 years of independence, it could not rest on its laurels
as there was much more to be done, in terms of economic and social development.

Commenting on Najib's message to spur the nation into becoming a high income and
developed nation by 2020, he said it was now time for everyone to unite and face
the challenges to move to the next stage of economic development.

Solomon said the nation was now at a stage where there were compelling reasons
for the country to achieve high income status and move up the economic value
chain to attract and retain quality human capital.

He noted the human resources ministry's recent survey which found the income of
34 per cent of Malaysia's labour force to be below poverty line.

This, he said, was distressing considering that Malaysia was an affluent and
resource rich nation.
-- BERNAMA