PM: Putrajaya’s bold steps in 2016 has borne fruit in face of criticism

SHAH ALAM, May 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tonight said his government’s bold steps to implement certain policies last year, including the unpopular Good and Services Tax (GST) and subsidy rationalisation exercises, have produced results.

He added that 2016 was the most challenging year for his administration, but the government had proven itself by persisting with carrying out the National Transformation Programme (NTP).

"The basis here is, my friends, Malaysians. This government has taken many bold actions, even tough decisions to achieve Malaysia's goal of becoming a high income, advanced economy.

"The measures taken include the removal of subsidies, dependence on oil revenue, rationalising subsidies and the introduction of GST, are now delivering huge dividends to the people and the country," Najib said at the unveiling of the NTP Annual Report 2016 during a special State of the Union event here.

"Therefore, despite what is being accused and alleged by certain quarters, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdullilah, lately, our economy has grown at an extraordinary pace, that is 5.6 per cent for the first quarter of 2017," Najib who is also the finance minister, added.

Najib said that the federal government’s bold steps over the last eight years have proved naysayers wrong, despite efforts from certain quarters to undermine his leadership, with some going as far as spreading “false predictions” that the country will fall into bankruptcy.

“That’s why whenever any side says this and that, I, as the prime minister representing the government and the administration officials, took a gentleman’s approach and was man enough to table the National Transformation Programme’s performance since 2010 even.

“In fact, rightfully, if we survey, where is there any government in this world that is as transparent, and has discipline of action to execute their promises for the sake of the people, and not just give empty talk?” he asked.

The NTP was launched in 2010, comprising the Economic Transformation Programme and the Government Transformation Programme, to improve the government’s delivery system and to drive Malaysia towards high-income status by 2020.