Najib: Malaysia successful, not failed state
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today refuted claims that Malaysia is turning into a failed state under BN rule.
Instead, the embattled PM said the country is becoming more developed under his administration.
"Under Umno, we can see that the country is developing forward. We are far from a failed state. Malaysia is a successful country to be proud of," he said in Kuala Lumpur today.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today refuted claims that Malaysia is turning into a failed state under BN rule.
Instead, the embattled PM said the country is becoming more developed under his administration.
"Under Umno, we can see that the country is developing forward. We are far from a failed state. Malaysia is a successful country to be proud of," he said in Kuala Lumpur today.
He said this to a hall full of students attending the Persidangan Mahasiswa Nasional at PWTC.
Najib, who is also Umno president, said Malaysia's success is proven by accolades it receives from world leaders.
"The world leaders who came recently respected us, even though we are just a middling country in size.
"I had no problems negotiating with (United States) President (Barack) Obama. He's a tall man, but I'm from Pahang and Pahang people are tall too. Pahangites cannot lose," he quipped to applause.
As such, he said, there is nothing to fear about Malaysia entering the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement with the US and 10 other negotiating countries.
Malaysia must be confident that it can gain from the venture just like the developed states in the deal, he said.
"Our competitors are Korea, Europe and other developed economies.
"If even Vietnam dares to join the TPPA, how can we not be. We can't just win in shouting matches. What happened to our courage?" he asked.
Critics are urging the Malaysian government to opt out of the TPPA, arguing that it would hurt local businesses, threaten access to cheap generic medicine and undermine bumiputera policies.
The Opposition and human rights groups raised concern that Malaysia is descending into a failed state, following the passing of the National Security Council Bill by the Dewan Rakyat last week.
The bill allows a council led by the prime minister to declare a security area with emergency-like regulations, without the consent of the Agong.
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