Najib vows to work for greater Malaysia

Datuk Seri Najib Razak has vowed that as prime minister, he will continue to work for a greater Malaysia. He said his administration was taking steps to ease the burden of the rakyat towards a meaningful way in strengthening their future. Malaysia was working towards a more resilient economy for the benefit of its people, he told a gathering of some 300 Malaysian diaspora, including students at the official residence of the Malaysian Consul-General Raja Saifful Ridzuwan Raja Kamaruddin yesterday. "We want people from Perlis to Sabah to feel Malaysia is a wonderful place to live in," said Najib who is on a week-long working visit to the United States. He shared with Malaysians living in this part of the US that sometimes, the government had to take tough action for the benefit of the country and its future. Citing the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST), Najib said the tough action taken by his administration had largely offset the impact of the current economic challenges as a result of the slowing down of the world's economic growth and the decline in oil and commodity prices. "GST was necessary as the country was experiencing a shortfall of RM40 billion in revenue this year, following the global economic challenges. "Imagine without (revenue from) GST, what would be the impact (of the global economic challenges) to the country's economy and welfare of its people?" he said. Further substantiating his point over the issue, he said this was like taking medicine, a bit bitter now but getting stronger later. In drawing his attention on the recent Budget 2016 recalibration, Najib said the move was to attain a sustainable economic growth during the current global economic challenges. He cited the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as having given a thumbs-up in its review of Malaysia's economic performances in this challenging times. "IMF said Malaysia's economy performed well despite those challenges. It also praised the prudent spending in Malaysia," he said. Bloomberg news, he said, had ranked Malaysia as the sixth most promising market. He cautioned Malaysians to be wary of those would like to put the country down and distrupt its stability. "These (irresponsible actions) are not putting the country first," he said. Najib also called on those working in this country to bring home their innovation and creativity skills for Malaysia's benefit. Also present were Najib's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and Malaysian Ambassador to the United States, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin. – Bernama, February 14, 2016.]]>