PM Najib: We must make people happy, too

Other than just ensuring higher income for the populace, Malaysia’s development model must also take into account the people’s happiness, said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

“Even if they have a lot of money, if in the morning they are caught in traffic jams... and at night worrying about crime that may happen, it will (adversely) affect the happiness index,” he said at the monthly gathering of the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya today.

He insisted that any increase in per capita income must be followed by similar increments in the happiness index.

Najib explained that this is based on Malaysia’s development model which is not copied in toto from either the East or the West, but developed in our own unique mould.

To achieve this, the prime minister urged government employees to work harder so that the nation’s development agenda and its execution goes ahead without a hitch.

“Do not let our momentum stall,” he reminded.

He said the momentum had even been acknowledged by the international media who were once critical of his administration.

While he did not provide specific exampes, the PM said that the foreign media, which he called “third-party validators”, has praised Malaysia’s “real change and progress”.

The PM also acknowledged the willingness of civil service heads to attend the Merdeka march and celebration, which he claimed showed that government servants are ready and going to the ground, willing to engage with and meet the people’s aspirations.

This spirit, he said, is something that he hoped the civil service will practice to keep the government’s momentum going.