Be grateful, don’t tarnish nation’s image, says Najib

Foreigners attempting to enter Malaysia at all costs shows that the country's economy is healthy, says prime minister

SERDANG: Prime Minister Najib Razak reminded the people today to be grateful for the progress and development achieved and not resort to tarnishing the country’s image.

Citing the example of foreigners attempting to enter Malaysia at all costs, he said it only went to show that the country’s economy was healthy.

“Although the national economy has improved, we are also facing challenges, but we should not go to the extent of tarnishing the country’s image.

“The Rohingya are sacrificing their lives to enter Malaysia, coming in droves in boats, and when they land in this country they prostrate themselves and kiss the ground of Malaysia which they regard as a land of plenty,” he said at the presentation of Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (Maiwp) Aidilfitri contributions to the poor here.

Najib said the right government policies and prudent economic management were among the factors that had contributed to higher tithe collection annually.

He also said a proper tithe payment system implemented by Maiwp, such as deduction from salary and providing tax exemption, as well as raising awareness among Muslims were also contributory factors.

He added that the tithe collected by Maiwp had risen from RM100 million in 2000 to RM532 million last year and RM585 million this year.

“If government policies do not bring about success and positive impact, it will be impossible for Muslims to achieve economic progress,” he said.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and chairman of Maiwp Jamil Khir Baharom was also present at the event.

Najib handed over Maiwp Aidilfitri contributions totalling RM18.27 million to 53,800 poor in the Federal Territory.

The prime minister also launched the Maiwp mobile counter that enabled the poor in the Federal Territory to apply for aid.

The applications are processed on the spot.

Najib also launched the Takaful Asnaf Baitulmal coverage plan of Maiwp, whereby the 20,000 recipients of monthly financial aid were covered up to RM600,000.

– BERNAMA