Najib attends Raya in Perth but wasn't Raya on Tuesday

PERTH, Sept 4 (Bernama) - Some 320 Malaysian students gave Prime Minister Datuk Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor a rousing welcome at an Aidilfitri celebration here on Saturday night.

The couple were welcome on arrival at the event by Hamidah Ashari, the Malaysian Consul General in Perth.

In his speech, Najib explained the 1Malaysia concept and its benefits to the nation and its people.

"1Malaysia is aimed at uniting our country and to bring all races together to achieve progress and prosperity," he said.

Najib also told them that thousands of jobs would be created from major projects currently underway in Malaysia, including the underground rail system, which he said required talented, well-educated and highly-skilled people.

He urged the students to work hard, get good qualifications and skills and return to Malaysia to live their dream of a prosperous job and in a prosperous environment.

"Some of you may want to stay back after graduation to get work experience in Australia. That's fine. But please return to Malaysia because we will need you," Najib said.

Spend only what you can afford

The prime minister, who was here during the holiday break to receive specialist treatment for his recently operated knee, said he was looking to the day when Malaysians earned wages on par with those offered internationally.

Najib said with an average economic growth of six per cent a year in the next 10 years, Malaysia would be on track to becoming a fully developed nation.

"This is our government's aim but there can unknown external factors beyond our control that can pull our economy back. We have to stay vigilant," he said.

He said Malaysia had a stable government since independence.

"We deliver what we promise; we will not promise you the sun, the moon and the galaxy. That will be for others to promise.

"We must be prudent and spend only what we can afford," he said.

Asked by a student to name three things Malaysians could learn from Australians, Najib said Malaysians should strive to get a well-balanced education.

"Don't spend all your time studying. Take part in campus activities, especially sports.

"Australians are health conscious; I see them running, walking and exercising all hours of the day. A healthy body is very important.

"They are also very particular about the food they eat. They avoid oily food and sugar," he said.

-- BERNAMA