Najib proclaims Malaysia champions of economic administration

Najib said FGHV shares have soared whereas Facebook stock plummeted. — File pic

SEREMBAN, Aug 2 — Malaysia can be regarded as a champion in economic administration as it has achieved stunning economic growth compared to other countries, especially during the current economic uncertainty, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The prime minister said Malaysia’s achievement was also better than that of developed countries in Europe, where several countries were saddled with huge debts and high unemployment rate of up to 45 per cent.

“Spain might be reigning Euro Cup champions, but despite losing on the football pitch, we are champions in economic administration,” he said at a breaking of fast event at the At-Taqwa Mosque in Paroi, here today.

Najib said although the government gave emphasis to large companies or investments from within and outside the country, the people, including the needy, always got the help they needed and reaped benefits from the government’s transformation programmes.

He said the philosophy and approach used by the government to develop the national economy were better than western theories as they were based on the spirit of the Quran and Sunnah (sayings of Prophet Muhammad).

“That’s why when we uphold the principle of social justice, we can see our economy registers good growth and we also make sure that the majority of the people are being championed,” he said.

He said the government always had a well-thought out plan when implementing an agenda, for example, Malaysia achieved the best poverty reduction rate among developing countries.

The government has been far-sighted when implementing programmes and not merely making promises that could not be fulfilled, he added.

“The projections are for all to see as to what we expect to achieve this year. In 2011, the country’s revenue had risen to RM26 billion within a year. From this revenue, we extended the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M).

“Now I hear of requests for a second BR1M. If they (opposition) can do Bersih 1, Bersih 2 (street demonstrations), we can have BR1M 1, BR1M 2 should we have ‘rezeki’ (sustenance). It is more meaningful that rioting on the streets,” he said.

He said the government could afford to implement various aid for the people that were never thought of by others to the extent that Malaysia was highly regarded by the world.

Najib said after the listing of Felda Global Ventures Holdings (FGVH), which was the world’s second biggest initial public offering (IPO), its shares soared compared to that of Facebook (social networking site) shares which plummeted.

In addition, he said recently IHHL Care, a company controlled by Kazanah Nasional became world’s second biggest health provider and owned 63 hospitals in several countries, including India and Turkey.

“This is what we should do, this is how the people, Muslims and other communities benefited from the government leadership which observes the spirit of the Quran and Sunnah,” he said.

He said the successes achieved by the government for the people were feared by the opposition that had resorted to various means, including taking the government to the court.

“But we ‘istikamah’ (are acting rightly), we are consistent, we resolve to continue the struggle,” he said.

The prime minister later joined Muslims for the Terawih prayers at the At-Taqwa Mosque.

Earlier, Najib opened the RM10 million At-Taqwa Mosque which was completed in 2010 and could accommodate 3,000 congregators.

Present were the prime minister’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor; Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, and Works Minister Datuk Seri Shaziman Abu Mansor. — Bernama