Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak wants the government administrative machinery to redouble their efforts to achieve the national economic growth target of six percent this year.

At the same time, he urged the administrative machinery to implement a particular project or programme in a cost-effective manner stressing on 'value for money' without affecting its objective.

"I hope we will do our best and mobilise our machinery fully so that we can achieve the six per cent (national economic growth) this year.

"I don't think this is beyond our capability. I'm convinced that if we work with determination from the start...(with) strategic planning, we can come out with concrete ideas and do proper and effective planning.

"...carry out monitoring that can detect our strength and weaknesses, I believe we can achieve something that is beyond expectation," he said at the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister's Department at the Dataran Perdana in Putrajaya today.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and ministers in the Prime Minister's Department.

Najib said although Malaysia had achieved a good economic growth which was beyond expectation especially in the fourth quarter of 2009 at 4.5 per cent, the global environment had not recovered fully.

'Respond positively'

In fact, he said, the private sector had also not been able to play its optimum role in helping to achieve the country's economic recovery.

"So, the role of the public sector is still important... there is still a need to emphasise the importance of our role as a major catalyst for a full recovery.

"I hope in the year 2010, we can achieve a better economic growth than what we had projected.

"I hope civil servants can respond positively to these efforts," he said.

In implementing projects that yielded the best returns, Najib cited two examples where due diligence had been adopted which had innovative elements as well as creativity.

He said that in the past, it was never imagined that the government could set up 50 '1Malaysia' clinics throughout the country involving an expenditure of only RM10 million.

In fact, he said, the national-level Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad's birthday) celebration at the Main Prayer Hall, Masjid Putra last Friday could still be held although the allocation had been reduced from RM2.2 million to RM500,000.

The prime minister said although the allocation for the celebration had been reduced, the relevent departments did not complain and had in fact carried out the programme well.

'Stronger fundamentals'

"In terms of significance, I feel the function was the same and the RM2.2 million expenditure (originally) was in fact excessive, because we were in a mosque where we could feel its sanctity.

"Although these examples are minor, it means that we do not complain. Many departments complain... grumble, whenever there is a cut in expenditure.

"So, if we have a positive attitude, we can actually find ways of achieving a particular objective even with a minimal expenditure because this can help in the country's economic recovery process.

"When we can reduce the government's fiscal deficit from 7.4 per cent to seven per cent, this year 5.6 per cent and so on, we will put in place stronger fundamentals for the national economy," he said.

At the same time, Najib praised the civil servants who attended the assembly punctually to listen to his message.

"I consider this assembly to be better. No one is out of breath for climbing the hill (due to late arrival) because we adhere to the time stipulated. I believe all of you can do it," he added.

- Bernama