PLANS DRAWN UP WITH PEOPLE, COUNTRY IN MIND - PM NAJIB

SUBANG (Selangor, Malaysia), July 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said Friday all government plans and transformation programmes were formulated based on short-and long-term considerations in the interests of the people and country.

The prime minister said that as the leader of a responsible federal
government, he had to ensure that every agenda was not pegged to any intention to gain popularity.

He spoke at a lunch with about 2,000 people in conjunction with his meeting with them at a primary school, here. Also present were Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Dr Noh Omar and Deputy Finance Minister Donald Lim Siang Chai.

Najib, who is also ruling Barisan Nasional chairman, said a party which only sought popularity to gain support during elections would be prepared to sacrifice the country's long-term principles and interests and leave the people in misery.

A responsible government would be wise not only in resolving current issues but would have plans to ensure that the future was secure, he said.

"We do not make promises which we cannot keep. We do not pledge to come to power today and reduce fuel prices the next day. Such promises are solely to garner popularity, without any long-term plans for our beloved country.

"We cannot do that. We must see how we can strike a balance between the global and national interests," he said.

Najib said that besides transforming the country, the government wanted to have its share in the world market so that Malaysians would progress into a developed nation by 2020.

The prime minister said that besides implementing major changes, the government also took care of the daily needs of the people, and had been handling this quite well.

"Some people have asked me what the government has done, saying that they have not enjoyed anything," he said, adding that he had explained about the subsidies which the government provided for fuel, flour, rice, and education, which was almost free in the country.

Najib said the government did not brag about the good it heaped on the people but the opposition kept harping on things like giving out RM100 (US$33.63).

"Our struggle is far bigger than theirs. They only beat the drums louder but the Barisan Nasional government continues to provide help. We will change the landscape through total transformation," he said.

Najib said he was delighted with the presence of the guests who were given short notice to attend the function and expressed the hope that this enthusiasm would be translated into votes at the next general election.

At the event, Najib handed over a RM165,000 (US$55,490) contribution under the 1MDB house repair programme to 33 households and daily necessities to 200 single mothers, orphans and poor people in the Subang parliamentary constituency.
-- BERNAMA