Najib acknowledges voters call for transparent, fair, accountable government

(The Star) - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he understood and acknowledged the call made by voters at the 13th general election for the government to be transparent, accountable and fair in distributing economic benefits.

The Prime Minister said that in charting a course towards sustainable economic growth, he would work to ensure that no one is left behind in sharing the fruits of the country's national successes.

“I understand and acknowledge the message from voters: that as we proceed along this path, we must be transparent and accountable, and that the benefits of economic transformation must flow to all Malaysians.

“I will work to ensure our national success leaves no one behind,” Najib said in his keynote speech at the 2013 Invest Malaysia conference here Thursday.

Addressing an audience that included foreign investors at the annual event organised by Bursa Malaysia that is now in its ninth year, Najib pointed out that market confidence in the government remained strong despite the outcome of the keenly contested 13th general election.

This could be seen in the biggest one-day gain recorded by the KL Composite Index, which surged by more than 100 points after polling day on May 5.

“I wonder if that is any indication that the markets prefer our economic agenda over the opposition's,” he said.

Najib said that while it was tempting to see the post-general election stock market rally as the market's endorsement of the path that the government has chosen for Malaysia, it was also an expression of relief.

“After a year of growing uncertainty, the country's political risks had eased,” said Najib.

The Prime Minister said that after its success in securing a new five-year term, the government now had an opportunity to set Malaysia on a sustained growth path for decades to come.

“As we approach developed nation status, it is time to reflect; to ask ourselves where next?”

“The conversation will be less about economic indicators and more about how we can build sustainable economic growth; about where we should position ourselves in Asia and the global economy,” said Najib.