GOVT TAKING STEPS TO HELP PEOPLE COPE WITH UNCERTAIN ECONOMY, SAYS DPM

PAGOH (Malaysia), Aug 20(Bernama) -- The government is constantly taking
steps to help the people, especially those in the rural areas to cope with the
current uncertain economic situation, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin
Yassin.

He said the government hoped the economy would recover by early next year so
that rural people would not face much problems economically.

"The whole world is facing an economic crunch now. Malaysia has not be
spared either but the government has taken various bold measures to help the
people.

"To date, the government has channeled RM67 billion (US$18.9 billion) to its
agencies to help spur economic growth and there are signs the economy is on the
path of recovery," he said.

He said this at a "meet-the-people" session involving the Chinese community
here, a province in southern state of Johor Thursday. Also present were Bukit
Serampang assemblyman Tahir Taat and Jorak assemblyman, Dr Shahruddin Salleh.

At the same time, Muhyiddin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Pagoh,
stressed that the policies practised by the government in the last 52 years were
right as proven by the fact that the country had made great progress with the
people enjoying a high standard of living.

"We want the people to support the ruling National Front or Barisan Nasional
(BN). We (BN) believe the government now is good because since 52 years ago, if
our policies had been bad, the country would not have progressed and the people
would be suffering," he said.

As such, he added that he hoped the various races in the country would
continue to live in harmony and help preserve this harmony in line with the
1Malaysia concept introduced by Prime Minister Mohd Najib Razak.
--BERNAMA