KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak intends to make 2018 as the year of success and impressive result for Malaysia.
Najib said he wanted the nation and government to continue to be strong, stable and progressive in all aspects and major sectors, whether in terms of the economy, politics, religion, education, culture and social, which would lead to a spillover in terms of prosperity and welfare of the people.
“Together we spread the good things, attain delivery and the noble efforts which were increasingly carried out by the government for the benefit of the people, despite warding off the ‘war of perception’, propaganda and false accusations hurled by irresponsible groups in the social media.
“Hopefully, the year 2018 will bring about more successes and impressive outcome for Malaysia. Let us pray for progress for Malaysia, and blessings for the people and country under the protection of Allah SWT eternally. Insya-Allah,” he said in his latest posting on his blog, www.najibrazak.com, today.
Najib said this showed that “we are a government that continues to bring about transformation, to bring a definite aspiration for the future of the people and nation” and to remind the people not to allow the nation to go back to the archaic period which was autocratic.
He explained that the government of today was one that had a proven track record, vision and mission that was very clear and forward thinking and followed by inclusive and comprehensive planning.
“In fact, the World Bank reported that ‘Malaysia’s economy expanded from a strong position’ and we expect a healthy growth for the year 2018 and a much reduced deficit when we continue to adopt all necessary measures to develop the country and ensure the security, welfare and happiness of the people of Malaysia.
“The government anticipates, Insya-Allah, that Malaysia’s economy will remain resilient in 2018, with the actual GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growing between five and 5.5 per cent, driven by domestic demand,” he said.
At the same time, Najib wanted the government to continue to be successful in service delivery, outstanding in increasing value and skill, including work quality that was of global standard, ever increasing productivity, creative and innovative culture excellent success in all aspects of work and services for the people.
In addition, he also wanted to ensure that the Barisan Nasional-led government achieved a significant victory in the coming 14th General Election because of the desire to continue to serve and implement the numerous noble agenda and initiatives that would bring much benefits for the sake of the people and country.
“More than that, I also want this government, the Malaysian nation and its people to attain outstanding and balanced success in this present world and hereafter,” he said.
The fact is, he said, 2017 had left numerous trials and tribulations while it had also brought much success that the nation could be proud of.
“Our economy exceeded all expectations, which grew by 6.2 per cent for the third quarter of 2017, compared with a growth of 4.3 per cent in the third quarter of the previous year. The World Bank had also reviewed its projection for Malaysia’s growth not once, not twice, but thrice — 4.9 per cent to 5.8 per cent.
“Subsequently, many respected global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, had praised Malaysia’s impressive economic growth as well as prudent economic management by the government, besides acknowledging that the economy’s resilience and competitiveness had been strengthened,” he said, adding that 2017 was a year of recovery for the ringgit, which saw the currency regaining strength slowly.
Among other successes achieved by the country last year were the launching of the first Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) in Malaysia, the US$7 billion investment in the Refinery And Petrochemical Integrated Development project (RAPID) in Johor, export value reaching RM80 billion for the first time and the construction of the infra-people project actively implemented such as the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) in the East Coast, High Speed Rail, and the Pan Borneo Expressway project in Sabah and Sarawak.
Najib also reminded the civil servants to join together in having a strong determination to give their best service and to think in a creative and innovative manner outside of the usual box to give their service that was truly outstanding and of quality for this year.
“Civil servants must work harder and with determination together with the leadership, not merely to maintain Malaysia’s status as a role model or exemplary Islamic nation to the other Muslim countries, not to be proud for being among the multiracial nation that was most successful in the world, in fact, the time has come for Malaysia to prove its integrity to become a successful global player in all dimensions and aspects,” he added. — Bernama
