JOURNALISTS SHOULD MAKE M'SIANS SEE AN INNOVATIVE MALAYSIA, SAYS M'SIAN PM NAJIB

PUTRAJAYA, April 19 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak has asked the
media to impress upon the people on the importance for them to embrace
innovation and unearth the nation's intellectual wealth.

Alluding to the five wealth-creation projects announced earlier today, he
said, the global size for these sectors were estimated at RM1.46 trillion
(US$0.486 trillion).

The five initiatives are oil palm biomass roadmap for Malaysia; harnessing
light energy; energy dashboard to reduce expenditure; cash-less facility for
small businesses; and cutting-edge technology for LED industry.

"Carving even a small niche in these sectors can be very lucrative for
Malaysia," he said at the Special Innovation Unit's (UNIK) new wealth creation
and eco-system initiatives.

"(Hence), Help me make the people see the vision of an innovative Malaysia
that I see so clearly in my mind. You are the envoys who can move mountains of
people with your words. The pen, keyboard and mouse are a lot mightier than
words.

"Move Malaysians with your journalism so that together we will weather the
storms, stay the course and build a determined Malaysia destined for greatness."
he said.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said that if earlier challenges were to
change the "tidak apa" (never Mind) attitude, now it is the "lebih kurang" (more
or less) mentality.

"We have to be precise in everything we do, "more or less" will not do. I
have frequently said that status quo is not acceptable and we have to change so
that we can get out of our comfort zone.

"Misplaced comfort creates complacency and mediocracy, it robs the hunger to
improve the country and people by themselves.

"Malaysia has done well. We have all done well as compared to most of our
comtemporary nations and certainly something we should all be proud of.

"But we cannot rest on our laurels," he added.