The success of Malaysia in getting positive projections from the World Bank in its GDP growth four times within the space of a year and four months shows that the country’s economy is on track to perform better, according to Najib Abdul Razak.
The caretaker prime minister also described the success as recognition, because Malaysia was the only country globally to gain such projections in that short period.
“As the BN government under my leadership, we have developed concepts and philosophies of development as well as detailed strategies and planning to bring the country forward to become one of the most successful countries in the world someday.
“I believe the features and signs towards that goal can be see everywhere in the country, including the completion of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) earlier than scheduled with cost below the actual amount.
“The implementation of the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) will raise the growth rate by 1.5 percent," he said when launching the ground ceremony for the upgrading of the Jalan Pesekutuan from Pekan town to Kampung Sungai Miang today.
The event was also attended by Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) director-general Ahmad Zaki Ansore Mohd Yusof, Works Ministry secretary-general Zohari Akob and Pahang Umno deputy chief Abu Bakar Harun.
He said the BN government helmed by him not only looked at increasing the country’s revenue, but was also inclusive in upholding the principle and philosophy of sharing the country’s wealth with the people as a whole.
“If the country’s revenue increases, we will help distribute it to the people, especially to those from the B40 and M40 groups in various forms of government assistance.
"This is a concept that I believe is very appropriate and correct to be upheld… trust that we are the government that always put the people first. We don’t make promises that we cannot fulfil,” he said.
For example, Najib. who is also the incumbent for the Pekan parliamentary seat, referred to the distribution of BR1M, which was raised by 100 percent, besides adding the number of beneficiary categories, after seeing that the country’s revenue would increase due to rising crude oil prices.
At the event, Najib also announced the implementation of the upgrading work on Jalan Persekutuan, involving a stretch of 14.7km with an allocation of RM338 million.
He added, from the total amount, RM25 million was for land acquisition and the project being carried out by Teras Sari Resources Sdn Bhd was expected to be ready by Feb 28, 2022.
“The work being undertaken has commenced since March 1. The implementation will facilitate outside communications to Pekan town.
"Even though it does not reach Endau (Johor), it can be considered as the starting point from Pekan to the south that can be extended to the next phase according to its capability,” he said.
Based on information from the Works Ministry, the project involved the upgrading of the existing road from one lane to dual lanes along the 1.7-km stretch from Pekan town to the Tanjung Agas junction.
The scope of the project also involved the construction of a four-lane double route for 13km from the Kampung Tanjung Agas junction to Kampung Sungai Miang, and the replacing of three bridges across Sungai Habib Hasan, Sungai Miang and Sungai Air Tawar.
It also entailed the installation of street lights, upgrading of the traffic lights at Kampung Tanjung Agas and in Tanjung Agas Industry junction.
The project intersection is also in line with the proposed Highway Network Development Plan (HNDP) from Pekan to Kota Tinggi at a distance of 240km besides boosting the socio-economy of the areas concerned.
- Bernama
