Your concerns are my concerns, Najib tells Chinese

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak made several appeals today for the Chinese community to trust him as their leader who has their interests at heart.

Speaking at the Chinese Economic Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Najib said like his predecessors, he is a leader for all Malaysians and would “chart the best possible future” for everyone.

Having talked about the government’s New Economic Model, the 10th Malaysia Plan and the Government Transformation Programme earlier in his keynote speech, Najib said he still needs “constructive criticism” from everyone in Umno, MCA and other BN partners.

“Like my predecessors, I recognise that I am a leader for all Malaysians. Your concerns are my concerns - not the other way around.

“I have been entrusted with the responsibility to chart the best possible future for all of us. But I can only be successful at this with your active support and participation.

 

“My role is to hear your concerns and to act on them whenever it is appropriate decisively. I have begun to do this with the policies I initiated in my first year in office, and I will continue to do this with the invaluable encouragement, and with some constructive criticism, from my own party and friends in the MCA and the other BN component parties."

He described the BN government's "balancing act" to satisfy the demands of the various ethnic communities in Malaysia as "absolutely critical"

"The government is managing and considering the requests of all stakeholders the best we can,” Najib told the congress delegates.

"The government is elected to serve. This is a government of the people and by the people. The government certainly cannot achieve the NEM or the (10th Malaysia) Plan without the involvement of all stakeholders. 

Trust me: PM

Najib had earlier in his speech talked about the country’s dependence on “the industry, expertise and dedication” of the Chinese community.

“Likewise, there will be a bleak future for Malaysia without the Chinese community’s support for our policies. We would clearly fall short of reaching the goals of Vision 2020 – to become the developed nation that our fathers and grandfathers strove so hard to achieve – without this vital support,” he said.

 

At the same time, however, the Chinese community must trust that the promotion of their interests and welfare lie in the extent of their trust in the government and country, said Najib.

This can take place not only by investing greater resources within the country, but reaching out to the other communities and setting up cross-ethnic partnerships, he added.

“Our faith in Malaysia requires a long-term investment in the future. Here, the Malaysian Chinese community must once again take up the reins and take up a more leadership role through economic innovation in genuine partnership with other communities.

“We must do this if we are to achieve our potential and sustain the progress and prosperity we have enjoyed thus far,” said Najib.

To assure those in doubt as to the government’s commitment to reforming its policies and practices in order to attract greater local and foreign investments, Najib pointed to the New Economic Model, the 10th Malaysia Plan and the Government Transformation Plan.

He cited, in particular, the removal of the bumiputera ownership requirement, the plan to do away with the Foreign Investment Committee (FIC), and the announcement that all students who achieve 9A+ in their secondary school SPM exams be assured Public Services Department scholarships.

Brain gain

These moves, Najib stressed, have seen results even within his time as premier.

“The government’s commitment to tackle entrenched issues to benefit all Malaysians has led to renewed interest in Malaysia from international parties.  

“For the first time, Malaysia has been ranked among the top 10 most competitive countries in the world.

“And, after a tough year of the global recession, there are signs of renewed investor interest from overseas. The first quarter of this year saw FDI figures close to those for all of 2009,” said Najib.    

Underscoring the economy’s dependence on the Chinese business community, Najib urged congress delegates to discuss how the former could be transformed into a “pillar” for national growth and development.

“Let us be candid. The government alone cannot make all the necessary changes. The private sector plays a vital role in driving the innovation; creativity and investment that are needed to boost Malaysia’s global competitiveness and support our goal to become a high-income nation.

“I would like to urge this congress to discuss on how the private sector including the Chinese business community can be transformed to be another pillar of the national growth and development.”

Najib revealed that a large number of the approximately 700,000 Malaysians working abroad were Chinese Malaysians.

"I call on all Malaysians working abroad to return and take advantage of these opportunities. Our goal is to make Malaysia an

attractive place of employment for all, so overseas Malaysians want to come home or stay home to work.

He said the government will launched The Talent Corporation next year, which will make it easier for Malaysians to return and ensure that Malaysia is an attractive place for employment.