KUALA LUMPUR, March 20- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin believes the intended target for the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) 2.0 could be achieved much earlier than 2020.
Muhyiddin said the confidence brewed from the encouraging performance report of the GTP and ETP that was tabled today.
“International panels had witnessed an upward trend in the (report) which has seen a healthy growth, well ahead of our expectation. More so, the per capita income that we have aimed for.
“And this I believe can be achieved before 2020. Maybe by 2018, meaning it can be achieved on condition that the economic growth that we are enjoying now is maintained,” he told reporters after the tabling of the GTP annual report by
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at Auditorium Perdana, Angkasapuri, here tonight. Muhyiddin said the intended target could also be achieved if the country was still stable with a continued increase in foreign investment through effective initiatives.
As for the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) which will be given out annually, Muhyiddin said the assistance was top most on the government’s priority to ensure the people enjoyed the benefit.
“BR1M will become an annual initiative from 2014, provided Barisan Nasional (BN) is given the mandate. The government will fulfill the promise and that is a promise made by the Prime Minister,” he said.
He therefore urged the people to continue their support for the government to ensure a continuous high economic growth so that various forms of assistance can be provided to the people. Asked if the amount given out as BR1M would be increased, Muhyiddin said it would depend on the economic situation and country’s revenue in the future. Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal described the country’s efforts to eradicate poverty as an extraordinary success.
“We can see that the government has proved to be one that is concerned with the welfare of the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the Prime Minister had tabled an outstanding GTP annual report card which has seen an encouraging economic growth for the past three years.
“We have a government that is totally committed and therefore, the people must continue to offer their support because we are on the right track,” said Liow adding that the Chinese community were also confident with the country’s GTP agenda.
