M`SIAN PM`S APPROACH TO FURTHER LIBERALISE ECONOMY A BOLD MEASURE

PASIR SALAK (Perak) (Malaysia), July 4 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Saturday described as a bold step the approach adopted by
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to further liberalise the Malaysian economy.

He said Najib, since taking over as prime minister, had implemented several
approaches and measures which would bring many benefits to the country.

"The latest approach of further liberalising the economy is a bold measure.
The most important thing is that it does not sacrifice the New Economic Policy
(NEP), particularly the aspect of eradication of poverty because there is
unfinished work here.

"Furthermore, the restructuring of society should also continue to be
implemented to ensure racial balance (in terms of employment by sector and
occupation as well as economic ownership) so that no one is marginalised or
forgotten," he said at an appreciation function in his honour organised by the
Pasir Salak parliamentary constituency and the Perak government in Kampung Gajah
here.

Pasir Salak is a historical place in northern Perak-state in Peninsular
Malaysia, where an important event in Malaysian history took place, the uprising
fight against the colonial presence, when J.W.W. Birch the first British
resident in Perak, was murdered by the local statesmans.

Abdullah's wife, Jeanne Abdullah, Perak Chief Minister Dr Zambry
Abdul Kadir and his wife, Saripah Zulkifli, and Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul
Rahman were among the 5,000 people who attended the function.

Abdullah expressed confidence that Najib would always adopt the best
approach for the people and country based on the current situation and in the
interests of society.


-- BERNAMA