Change I will, says PMBy LIM AI LEE
newsdesk@thestar.com.my
NEW YORK: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says he will not back off from making difficult decisions in reforming Malaysia’s economic model and transforming the Government.
“To those who harbour doubts whether as Prime Minister, I have the will to bring about these difficult changes, I have this to say: ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’
“I am ready to make the difficult changes that Malaysia needs,” Najib told an international audience at a lunch talk organised by the Asia Society here on Friday.
The Prime Minister, who spoke on “A New Vision for Malaysia,” elaborated on the Government Transformation Programme and the New Economic Model.
Change it is: Najib spelling out his determination to push through his 1Malaysia and economic agenda at a talk at the Asia Society in New York on Friday. — Bernama The new approach towards affirmative action, he said, would be market-friendly, needs-driven, merit-based and transparent.
“Government assistance will continue to be provided for the most vulnerable Malaysians, but will now be provided on the basis of need rather than ethnicity.”
On opposition to his reforms, Najib said: “You cannot get traction without friction. But Malaysia can no longer afford to duck these issues any longer. We must bring a sense of urgency to reform if we are to achieve our collective aspiration.”
He said there were Malaysians from all races who felt that the previous model, the New Economic Policy (NEP), had too often benefitted a narrow group of Malays, sometimes well-connected with the elite.
“Not only is this wrong, in the new global economy, it is unsustainable. Any nation that seeks to compete internationally in the high-wage knowledge sectors of the future must realise the skills, talents and expertise of its entire people.”
Najib also touched on the 1Malaysia concept.
“We want to see an inclusive Malaysia, where no one is left out of contributing to and sharing in the creation of wealth as we progress.”
Najib said he had met young Malaysians who felt that the nation must look beyond the narrow confines of the old and anachronistic political arguments.
“We can, and must work towards forging a national identity that is rooted in our common destiny and shared heritage. We must build a future worthy of our past.”
On the political front, Najib said he wanted to make clear he was not opposed to dissent and opposition.
“I believe that the legitimate expression of views – no matter how jarring or disjointed – deserves the right to be heard.
