PUTRAJAYA: The government must work to restore the public’s confidence in its ability to serve, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.

He said the administration could address the “confidence deficit” by ensuring it did all it could to fulfil the people’s wants and needs.

“The key is to reduce the burden on people’s lives, not just by putting food on the table, but also by lowering the cost of living, ensuring access to affordable housing, raising employment, and improving government services.

“We must also rise to the challenge of social media, where perception tends to be stronger than reality,” he said at the first morning assembly of the Prime Minister’s Office staff, following last Tuesday’s cabinet reshuffle.

Najib took the opportunity to thank former ministers who had been dropped from the latest cabinet line-up for their services and contribution.

Among them were former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, Datuk Hasan Malek and Datuk Ewon Ebin.

Najib also congratulated his new deputy, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, on his appointment to the post.

“I’m confident that his wisdom, along with his loyalty and commitment to the Cabinet, can assist us in fulfilling the mandate entrusted to us to meet the people’s needs and aspirations.”

Later, following the assembly, Ahmad Zahid officially clocked in for duty at 8.45 am, signing the letter of appointment in the presence of Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa.

– http://www.nst.com.my/