Makkah, Dec 24 – Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the effort of the Malaysian government, which focused on education, managed to produce professionals among its citizens who dared to compete on the world stage.
The prime minister said this showed that the level of confidence of the people of Malaysia was increasing.
“This group will not exist among the people, if not through the giving of a large number of scholarships and the setting up of institutions of higher learning.
“They are more compelled to look at opportunities at the international level, and they are not at all awkward or feel pressured when competing with others,” he told Malaysian journalists at the end of his working visit here on Monday.
The government’s relentless effort had boosted the level of confidence among Malaysians to seek opportunities at the international level, he said.
“Who could visualise the participation of Malaysians in the Masjidil Haram (The Grand Mosque in Makkah) expansion project and the building of the holy city’s biggest clock tower in the world?”
The prime minister said his working visit here could strengthen bilateral ties between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia and the people of both countries, and open more opportunities for Malaysians.
While appreciating the cooperation and facility extended by the Saudi Arabian government to him to perform the umrah (minor pilgrimage), he said the close ties enabled professionals from Malaysia to participate in mega projects all over the world.
Najib said this was the best example of the government’s success in making Malaysians well-known globally.
“Many opportunities can be sought in the context of development in Saudi Arabia. I believe several opportunities, which are being given thought and discussed, will materialise soon,” he said.
Najib was accorded a state guest status upon his arrival in Madinah during his four-day working visit to Saudi Arabia since Saturday.
Upon his arrival, Najib met 150 Malaysian students studying at the Madinah Islamic University.
Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor also visited the tomb of Prophet Muhammad in the Nabawi Mosque in Madinah in the evening.
On Sunday night, Najib and his delegation performed the umrah at Masjidil Haram, and on Monday morning, he met Malaysians at the Felda D’Saji Restaurant in a relaxed atmosphere and had breakfast.
In the midst of his busy schedule as prime minister, Najib had performed the Haj with Rosmah in 2011.
– Bernama
