Don’t question support for my administration, says Najib

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak remains in power despite last year's political turmoil and allegations of financial mismanagement. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, January 11, 2016.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today he no longer wanted anyone questioning the support for his administration, as he had already proven he had the confidence of the Dewan Rakyat.

He told the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister's Department today that Budget 2016 was passed in Parliament last year with the support of the majority of lawmakers.

"The government of the day has proved it has the support of Parliament when the budget received a convincing majority support.

"As we enter 2016, we cannot question this status. Our agenda is huge, it is for the country, for the people, and the well-being of us all," Najib said in Putrajaya this morning.

Najib's administration last year was shaken by political turmoil and loss of confidence due to allegations of financial abuse and mismanagement‎ that made news across the world.

The passing of Budget 2016 posed the biggest challenge to Najib's leadership as opposition lawmakers had hatched a plan to unseat him by voting down the budget in the Dewan Rakyat.

The budget was eventually passed with a majority vote of 128 to 74 despite rumours that even Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs would vote against it. 

Najib also announced today that a special task force ‎would be set up to expedite government projects and study why such projects suffered delays.

"I intend to form a small team comprising myself, the deputy prime minister, the chief secretary and several ministers to look into the delays ‎in these projects.

"We will ask why these projects are taking longer than usual to complete, and if the processes are complicated, we will look into the processes," said Najib.

Last week, the prime minister said Malaysia would face an even more trying economic climate in 2016 due to external factors beyond his administration's control.

He said he would also revise Budget 2016 in the wake of falling ‎crude oil prices, which would reduce the government's revenue.

- TMI