Najib praises himself: The people have more confidence in the govt now

PHNOM PENH -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak described his three years in office as very exciting and full of challenges.

"We have come a long way in the three years. When we started, we started from a position that was full of challenges, that is the political tsunami and there were lots of sceptism and cynisms.

"But after three years, people have more trust and confidence in the government. (The) Rakyat believed we can deliver and we have delivered," he told the Malaysian media during a press conference Tuesday.

Najib, who took office from his predecessor, Datuk Seri (now Tun) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, is here attending the first day of the two-day, 20th Asean Summit.

He said macro figures looked very promising and the private sector had responded well.

He said the foreign direct investment had reached a record high after 10 years, and a total of RM120 billion in investments were recorded in one year alone.

He said the Gross Domestic Product had reached an all-time high and the government managed to reduce fiscal deficits.

"All these indicate, we have created a fresh momentum over the years. Our GDP has been good. The NKRAs have exceeded target and the challenges would be to continue with the momentum because we have achieved much in the last three years.

"Insyaallah (God-willing), give us another five years, we will deliver more," he said.

Najib said he was surprised that it had been three years.

"I feel gratified because the Cabinet has been very supportive. I could not have done it alone. My colleagues have supported me all along.

"We have delivered on the promises we have made and that is important. When we promise, we deliver," he added.

On the challenges he faced on the political front, Najib said the opposition would use every single issue possible, and they were not constructive to find solutions but to prolong issues until the next general election.

"Their mindset is not to seek solutions but to create and prolong issues," he said.

-- BERNAMA