Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the blame should not be placed entirely on the government for what is happening in the country right now.

Especially with the weakening ringgit, he said the main factors causing this are external and out of the government's control.

"Whatever that is happening, including the weakening of the ringgit, the biggest factors are out of our hands.

"We cannot blame the government because the currencies in more than 120 countries have also depreciated. Some even more than Malaysia," he said at the Malaysian Malay Contractors Association annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur today.

The ringgit has seen a sharp decline against the US dollar since April and economists have said they do not expect it to recover by the end of this year.

While economists agreed that falling oil prices had a huge impact on the depreciation of the ringgit, many said the country's political turmoil has also affected the currency.

Najib said falling oil prices had negatively impacted the country, though he noted that it did not have a debilitating effect.

"Despite the uncertainty of the global economy, with the falling oil prices costing oil-producing countries profit of up to RM3 billion, we are still able to carry out developmental projects for the benefit of the country," he said.

He also reminded his audience from the Malaysian Malay Contractors Association that they owed part of their success to the current government, which has looked after them.

"No matter how efficient and capable you are, if you have the wrong government (in power), it will all be for nothing.

"The reality that we must not forget is that your good fortune, for the sake of your children and wives, is because of this government that cares about providing opportunities," he said.

Hence, he said, people should remember to help the government that has already helped them out so much.

"Don't take a wrong step because once rice becomes porridge ( nasi jadi bubur ), you will surely regret," he said.