Malaysia needs no foreign interference, says Najib

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today pointed out that Malaysia did not need foreign interference to shape and determine the direction of the country.

He said the internal affairs of the country should be determined by the people themselves as the formula had been proven to be successful.

"We should not invite foreigners to interfere into our affairs. Let the internal affairs of the country be decided by the people themselves," he said when launching the Malaysian Unit Trust Week (MASM) 2016 at the Mini Stadium in Tapah.

Also present was the prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor, Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir and the Chief Secretary to the Government Ali Hamsa.

Najib also gave the example of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) as among the institutions to be proud of as it had acquired various properties in the country as well as overseas.

"This (PNB) is one of the successes we could be proud of as it (the real estate) was previously owned by foreigners in London and now it is owned by Malaysians," he said.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said an example of Malaysia's success with its local entities was Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MABH) which is now the sole owner and operator of Sabiha Gokcen International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey.

"The airport had recorded the fastest growth in Europe for five consecutive years," he said.

Apart from that, the Prime Minister said Malaysia needed to have its own strategy to become a champion at regional as well as global levels and not to be merely confined to the local scene.

"This is the essence of our struggle but in the end, we must to determine the destiny for our own future," he said.

MASM 2016 themed 'PNB 360 Investment' will be held for nine days starting today with various exhibition stalls as well as investment education activities to promote unit trust investment among Malaysians.

- Bernama