KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak appealed to the people for a bigger mandate to strengthen and complete the transformation programmes that he had put in place.
“I want to share with you my vision for Malaysia. It is a vision of a confident nation: one that celebrates its differences, and draws strength from its diversity; where economic growth brings more profitable businesses, more employment, and better lives; where political reform brings greater security and freedom; and where national unity brings stability and prosperity,” he said.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the m
any achievements and success enjoyed by the people through the government’s initiatives for the past five years would be catalyst for the people to continue their support for the ruling coalition.
“I look forward to an open and constructive debate, for I believe we have a better plan for the future. And I look forward to making our case to the people, in each state, and every corner of our nation.
“I believe in our potential to come together and create a new and stronger Malaysia. The past few years have taught me many things: about how the relationship between government and people is changing; about the energy of our youth; and about the importance of standing united as a country, as 1Malaysia, if we are to prevail,” he said in his www.1malaysia.com.my blog posting titled ’13GE – A Brighter Future For Malaysia’.
Najib said this was an important moment in the democratic system of the country, whether for first time voters or seasoned voters, to make the right choice in deciding the future of the nation.
“Lets look forward to a new and better future for Malaysia. Our track record shows that we are a government that delivers and keeps its promises. I want us to be proud of what we have achieved, and ignore those who try and talk Malaysia down.
“There is still much work to be done. But our country has made great progress over the past four years and we should be proud of that. We expect to become a high-income nation by 2018 – two years ahead of schedule – which is a remarkable achievement,” he said.
Of course, a rise in GDP alone is not complete development and economic success alone is not enough because it is also the society in which we live that matters. For example, Malaysians must be able to determine their own success, irrespective of race or religion and they should feel safe in their communities, and have clean water in their homes and good roads to drive on, he said.
“In just four years we have taken tremendous strides on all these fronts. About 84 percent of government contracts have been subjected to anti-corruption screening. Crime has fallen by nearly 10 percent, over 3,500km of new roads have been built, and 200,000 homes have been connected to clean water.
“More than five million people have been helped with the cost of living, with 1Malaysia Stores and Clinics across the country. We have established universal free primary education, and introduced the minimum wage.
“And we have dismantled outdated laws, repealing the emergency proclamations, reforming the publishing regulations and replacing the Internal Security Act,” he said.
This election is not about the past, it is about the future. It is about the country we want to be. The choice before you is between competing pictures of our future.
“One is pessimistic and divided, the other clear and optimistic. One is unprepared and full of uncosted and empty promises, the other methodical and fully tested,” said Najib.
BERNAMA
