Seven ups and downs of Najib's seventh anniversary

Today is Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s seventh year in steering the nation since he took office in 2009. To appease the seven-year itch, Malaysiakini does a capsule review of seven of his achievements that are people-pleasers, and seven of his policies that fell flat.

7 Najib achievements we love

1) 1Malaysia clinics and 1Malaysia mobile clinics

Not all Malaysians can afford a house call whenever they have the cough or cold. For just RM1 per visit, qualified nurses and experienced medical assistants will treat your common ailments to make the blues go away.

2) 1Malaysia people’s shops (Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia)

Again, not all of us can afford to shop at fancy grocery stores. For those who have been tightening their belts because of the rising cost of living, this is the go-to place to grab some bargains.

3) 1Malaysia book vouchers

Every pupil and university student will receive a yearly voucher that amounts up to RM250. We believe it’s a good move by the government to ease the students’ burdens when they purchase books.

So keep reading, youngsters, for knowledge is power.

4) Mass rapid transit (MRT)

The days of commuting in comfort are almost upon us. Soon, Klang Valley folks will no longer have to endure hours of traffic jam to reach their workplaces. Finally!

5) Removing the sugar subsidy

Here’s one subsidy removal that sounds sweet on the ears, especially among health enthusiasts. With the rising price of sugar, shop owners and consumers are tempted to put less sugar into their drinks and cooking.

Also, with more than 2.5 million Malaysians who are diabetic, here’s another good reason to lower your sugar intake.

6) Urban Transformation Centre (UTC)

In the pre-UTC days, we had to embark on epic journeys to various governmental departments around town whenever we need to renew personal documentation, like identity cards and passports.

We also need to visit different departments to pay our utility bills, and to settle loans such as the one granted by the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN).

Fortunately, Najib’s administration changed all that with the introduction of Urban Transformation Centres across the nation, from September 2012.

Now we can conveniently accomplish all the necessities mentioned above and so much more in an all-in-one centre.

For this, we salute you, Mr Prime Minister.

7) Recovery of MH17 black boxes

When the Malaysia Airlines MH17 plane was brought down by an alleged surface-to-air missile in war-torn Ukraine in 2014, many countries mourned the loss of 298 lives in the crash.

In this moment of adversity, our prime minister stepped up to the task at hand. Like a true hero, Najib brokered the handover of the plane’s two black boxes that were recovered by Ukrainian separatist forces.

Najib’s actions even earned the commendation of opposition political figures Lim Kit Siang and Anwar Ibrahim.

7 Najib executions we love to hate

1) 1MDB scandal

A state investment fund saddled with a RM42 billion debt. More than just the PAC, many countries across the globe are still trying to get to the bottom of this.

To make matters worse, a big chunk of dough was channelled into the Prime Minister’s Ambank private bank accounts. In response, Najib declared that it was a personal donation from Saudi Arabia’s royal family, and used not for his personal gain.

2) Golfing during Malaysia’s worst flooding in decades

While rescuers strove to aid tens of thousands in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia most affected by the December 2014 floods, photographs of Najib playing golf with US President Barack Obama in Hawaii during the same period appeared on social media.

At least five people were killed in the floods, with over 160,000 displaced.

In the end you cut short your trip but in our time of need, where were you, Mr Prime Minister?

3) Goods and Services Tax (GST)

In a Malaysia Digest report on June 30 last year, 90 percent of the 1,454 Malaysian respondents involved in a JobStreet.com study admitted that they are having trouble coping with daily expenses, which went up after the implementation of GST in April 1 last year. The prime minister hailed GST as the saviour of the economy last year, after it raked in RM21 billion.

4) Shopping spree by the PM’s beloved

We have heard rumours of the diamond ring, designer bags, and lavish retail therapy trips around the globe. At a time where the cost of living has gone up, we can only tighten our belts as our eyes glazed over looking at the bevy of Birkins.

5) Declared Sedition Act is here to stay, after pledging to repeal it

In 2012, the prime minister said he would abolish the Sedition Act. However, he went back on his words during the Umno general assembly in 2014, declaring that the law would be retained. The law has been used for at least 33 times in 2014-2015.

6) Media clampdown

A business daily was suspended for three months and two news websites have recently closed down.

So, which news portal is next in line to face the wrath of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission?

7) 1Malaysia symbolism

On Sept 16, 2010, pointing his right index finger upwards, Najib rolled out the 1Malaysia campaign and proceeded to confuse us about its true meaning.

The cabinet initially defined 1Malaysia’s goals as “a nation where, it is hoped, every Malaysian perceives himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion, geographical region or socio-economic background second.”

The then deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yasin came up with his own unique interpretation, by insisting that he was “Malay first”.

“How can I say I’m Malaysian first and Malay second? All the Malays will shun me… and it’s not proper,” added Muhyiddin.

The PM himself had his Malay first moment when he praised the red shirt rally for defending the race.

With so many interpretations, no wonder Malaysians are confused. -Mkini