KUALA LUMPUR: The country’s economic position and the people’s socio-economy are sound and many people are now enjoying a good quality of life, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“For example, I see that parents in urban areas are able to take their children on vacation and shopping especially during the school holidays.
“I am also told that during the MATTA (Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents) Fair recently, the sale of holiday packages and flight tickets was very good.
“In fact promotions and sales for festivals such as the Aidilfitri had started as early as last month,” he said at the launch of the 2015 annual report of the National Transformation Programme (NTP) and the Economic Transformation Programme under the National Transformation Policy which was broadcast live on RTM last night.
The Prime Minister said that the actual condition of the country’s socio-economy and the people was contrary to the negative perception that certain irresponsible groups had tried to portray.
In his speech, Najib shared several achievements of by the NTP which he described as worthy of praise.
These included the improving the quality of government services, supplying piped water, electricity and road networks to 5.5 million people in rural areas.
Najib also shared the success stories of several individuals as a result of the implementation of the NTP.
These included Chik Azmily Che Abdul Aziz from Kampung Beoh Gunong, Kelantan, who was previously a gardener and daily labourer picking oil palm fruits.
As a result of the 1AZAM Tani programme, he has succeeded in increasing his income from RM500 to RM5,000 a month.
Manimaran Ekamparam from Kampar through his company, M.S Village Foods Sdn Bhd, managed to break into a bigger market under the Safe Food is the Industry’s Responsibility Programme.
As a result, Manimaran’s company which supplied snack food such as murukku and nuts had increased its annual sales from RM1.9mil in 2012 to almost RM3mil two years later.
In his foreword of the NTP Annual Report 2015, Najib said Malaysia would reach developed status by 2020 despite facing an uphill battle for its transformation in the next four years.
“Based on achievements so far, I can say with confidence that come 2020, we will be exactly where we envisioned ourselves to be – a truly developed country,” said Najib, adding that the Government was committed to completing the programme’s implementation in another four years.
“I acknowledge that it will be an uphill battle, but I am convinced it can be won with the same effort and dedication we have shown from the start of the NTP.”
Najib, who is also Finance Minister, added that the Government was aware of the rakyat’s struggles in coping to cope with the rising cost of living.
He said that the cost of living National Key Results Area had two approaches to handle this.
“Targeted cash assistance is delivered through programmes like Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia and 1Malaysia Book Voucher and the Government also prioritises making affordable basic necessities such as 1Malaysia Clinic, Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia and Menu Rakyat 1Malaysia available to all,” the Prime Minister said.-thestar
