A strong Umno is crucial to success of BN, says Najib

Responsible leader: Najib posing after handing out sacrificial cows to his Pekan constituents. — Bernama

PEKAN: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called on Umno members to respect and accept with an open heart whatever decisions made by the grassroots regarding the upcoming party polls.

The Umno president said a strong united Umno was crucial to the success of Barisan Nasional in the next general election.

“As the Pekan Umno division chief, it is my responsibility to make sure we are all united. If we have unity, we will be successful in all of our struggles,” said Najib before handing out sacrificial cows to his Pekan constituents here yesterday.

The Prime Minister also said loyalty and making sacrifices were values that should be observed by all in Umno.

“Throughout history, we have been successful in tackling challenges because we were willing to make sacrifices, some even with their lives.

“During the struggle for independence, some people sacrificed their lives but they were not successful because they were in small, disorganised groups,” he said.

Najib seeks formula to win back urban hearts

Effective methods should be formulated to restore the urban community's confidence in the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno to make them their parties of choice, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said BN and Umno leaders and members should work hard to translate their strength as the only parties that could develop the economy while reminding the people that they had fought to liberate the country.

Prompted by the strong message sent by the people in the last general election, he said in order to win back the hearts of urban dwellers, major problems like crimes, corruption, traffic snarls and housing prices should be addressed.

"Apart from the process of improving weaknesses in the party and acknowledging mistakes, we should also have the humility to identify problems of the urban community which should be resolved to their satisfaction," he said when breaking fast with Federal Territories BN and Umno members at the Muadz Al-Jabbar Mosque in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Govt fully committed to providing quality houses for people: Najib

KUALA LUMPUR (July 8, 2013): The government is fully committed to providing affordable and quality houses for the people, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.

"Affordable housing has always been of paramount importance to the Barisan Nasional government," Najib said in his latest posting on Facebook today.

In that spirit, he said, the government aimed to build 100,000 houses nationwide under the 1Malaysia Civil Servants' Housing Programme as part of its commitment to deliver cheap and quality housing for all.

Yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa said a total of 100,000 houses would be built under the 1Malaysia Civil Servants' Housing Programme (PPA1M) nationwide.

Besides Putrajaya, the government will identify strategic locations in the federal capital and major centres, including in Sabah and Sarawak, to expand the programme. – Bernama

(Source: The Sun Daily)

Najib: Political lab to ensure BN remains relevant

KUALA LUMPUR (June 25, 2013): The Barisan Nasional (BN) will set up a political laboratory to ensure that the ruling coalition remains relevant in the eyes of the people, Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said today.

He had tweeted thus: "A political laboratory will be set up to ensure that the Barisan Nasional remains relevant in the eyes of the people."

Najib had said last night after a meeting of the BN Supreme Council that a political laboratory would be set up next month to propose the necessary changes to be made to the coalition.

He had said that the laboratory would consider whether the changes involved the structure, branding or principles, or all three, to ensure that BN continued to be successful. – Bernama

(Source: The Sun Daily)

Don't reject government by believing opposition lies, Najib tells students

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak has reminded Malaysian students in foreign countries not to fall for opposition lies to the extent of not supporting the government.
 
The prime minister said the slander and lies spread by the opposition on the recent 13th general election (GE13) process, for instance, had created a wrong perception of the government to the extent that some students also believed the slander and lies.

"Until today, there is no proof of the opposition's claim that we (Barisan Nasional) had brought in 40,000 Bangladeshis (to vote for BN). This was slander and a very big lie in the general election this time.

Barisan Nasional all out to fulfil promise to develop rural Sarawak, says Najib

PAKAN: Barisan Nasional will fulfil its promise to bring more development to the state following the “strongest” support that it received from the people in the last 13th general election.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, speaking to a crowd of 6,000 during his Gawai Dayak call to Rumah Panjai George Nanga Nansang yesterday, said the BN would not make empty promises like the Opposition which only gave lip-service.

He said with the mandate from the people, the government’s transformation programme could be continued.
“We will now march on to become an industrialised nation by 2020. This mandate also shows that the BN agenda is better than the Opposition’s,” he added.

Najib noted that the people of the state, especially the Dayaks, were not easily misled by the Opposition during the elections, saying they knew who could look after their future.

“So because of this, today I want to assure you that in time to come, and according to our ability, we will intensify the development agenda for rural areas in Sarawak so that areas still left behind in terms of basic amenities will be looked into,” he assured.

Najib: BN has to adapt to stay relevant

Najib shaking hands with Barisan election machinery members in Pekan. — Bernama

 

PEKAN: Change is imminent and Barisan Nasional has to adapt accordingly if it wants to remain relevant, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said the country’s political landscape would continue to undergo significant changes towards the next general election.

He said among factors that would bring forth changes were urbanisation, better standards of living and education, access to information and communications technology and the use of smartphones and their applications.

“Nothing is constant. Whether it is quick or not, change will happen,” he said at a thanksgiving event for Barisan election machinery members here yesterday.

Malaysian Premier Seeks Unity With Plan to Bolster Economy

Mr. Najib, center, met with his ruling coalition in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.  Getty Images

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia—Newly elected Prime Minister Najib Razak said he would press ahead with a multibillion-dollar modernization program for Malaysia's economy, adding that he hoped it would help reunite the Southeast Asian nation after the most fiercely contested election in its history.

Mr. Najib's National Front coalition secured around 60% of the seats in Sunday's ballot, but the vote was heavily split between Malaysia's thriving cities, which largely voted for opposition parties, and rural, mostly ethnic-Malay areas that threw their support behind Mr. Najib, the 59-year-old son of Malaysia's second prime minister.

Many of Malaysia's ethnic-Chinese minority, which makes up about a quarter of the population, also switched to opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's People's Alliance, leaving Mr. Najib's coalition ruling the country with 47% of the popular vote, compared with 50% for its opposition rivals, who allege that electoral fraud swung the result against them. The remaining 3% represented votes for independent candidates or spoiled ballots.

In his first remarks to the international media following the election, Mr. Najib told The Wall Street Journal in an interview on Tuesday that expanding the size and scope of the country's economy would help draw support back to the National Front, which has run the country uninterrupted since independence from Britain in 1957.

Opposition Cannot Be Selective, Says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today hit out at the opposition over its reluctance to accept Barisan Nasional's (BN) win at the national level, but accepted their own victory in three states.

Criticising the opposition for their selective attitude, Najib said he found it weird because the decision was made through the same system, based on the people's choice through the 13th General Election last Sunday.

"The weird thing is that they questioned BN's win at the national level, but accepted the results in the states which they won.

"In Kelantan, Selangor and Penang, they are going ahead with appointing the menteris besar and chief minister.

"So, why can't they accept at the national level as they accepted at the state level...don't be selective...when you win, you accept, when you do not win, you do not accept, it cannot be like that," he told reporters after a special meeting with BN parliamentary members at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here.

On the opposition's plan to stage a gathering to protest the BN's win at national level, Najib said that should not happen because there were laws and regulations in the country, through which they could channel their dissatisfaction.

"If (they are) not satisfied, provide evidence, don't stage a gathering," he said.

Time for Umno to rally behind Najib, says Nazri

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has done a fantastic job in helping BN march to victory despite a major onslaught by Pakatan Rakyat, senior Umno members and political analysts said.

They said it was now time for Umno to stand behind Najib and let him continue with his transformation programme and further unite the country.

Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz (left)said the opposition had described the 13th general election as the "mother of all elections" but Najib still managed to lead BN to form a strong government.

"This is a remarkable achievement because after the 2008 tsunami, no general election was going to be easy," the Padang Rengas MP said.

"It was a hard fought battle and the prime minister has helped BN take back the state of Kedah from PAS."

Nazri said that in this time of "crisis" there should not be any talk of changing the leadership of Umno.

He said that it was in times like this that Umno members needed to rally behind their leader.

Umno supreme council member Azalina Othman Said called on all BN leaders to re-look its policies and strategies that the government had implemented previously.

"Following the results of the general election, I find that the disparity between urban and rural voters is very obvious. BN does not want to be known as a rural-based coalition but a coalition that appeals to all forms of society," she said when contacted by The Malay Mail yesterday.

GE13: Najib calm when pestered for comments on Utusan Malaysia’s front page headline

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak kept his cool when a reporter pestered him continuously for comments on Utusan Malaysia's front page headline.

The newspaper had carried the headline titled “Apa lagi Cina mau?” (What more do the Chinese want?) yesterday.

At a press conference held after a closed-door session with Barisan Nasional's newly elected Members of Parliament, the Prime Minister was asked by a reporter to comment on the headline.

Najib replied by explaining how the DAP had manipulated the Chinese into believing they could change the Government.

He then went on to take several more questions before the same reporter asked Najib whether he endorsed Utusan Malaysia's headline as well as the term “Chinese tsunami”.

“What I am saying is that the Opposition created a false assumption that it could change the Government,” he said.

About five minutes later, as Najib was explaining the need for all quarters to terangkan (expose) DAP's tactics, the reporter again interjected by asking: “How do you terangkan when Utusan (Malaysia) came up with a headline like this?”

BN govt willing to listen to the people: Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR: In the spirit of accountability as a government picked by the people, the Barisan Nasional (BN) is always prepared to listen to the people and accept their advice and criticism in providing the best service to them, said BN deputy chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the mandate given by the people to continue helming the nation was a huge trust which must be carried out properly.

"We have made an undertaking to the people in our 13th general election (GE13) manifesto, which, God willing, we will carry out to the best of our ability. 

"With the mandate too, the BN government will be able to continue its transformation efforts, and, God willing, we can achieve the aspiration of becoming a developed nation with high income by 2020," he said in a statement, here, today. 

Congratulating Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who took his oath of office as Prime Minister today, he said the BN chairman had successfully led the coalition to victory in GE13.

Najib Victory Expected to Open Malaysia’s IPO Pipeline

Billions of dollars in initial public offerings are expected to move forward now that Malaysia’s national election is over, as the country seeks to retain its crown as Southeast Asia’s top IPO market.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s National Front Coalition won a majority of parliamentary seats on Sunday, which should enable him to press ahead with a series of ambitious reforms to accelerate economic growth and deepen the country’s financial markets. The victory also clears away any political uncertainty.

“Malaysia is one of the favorite destinations for investors who have the mandate to invest in Southeast Asia.

Fundraising activity is expected to pick up now the election is out of the way,” said Jeff Zajowski J.P. Morgan's JPM -1.06% head of equity capital markets for Asia Pacific.

Getty Images

“There’s been strong investor demand and offerings had been delayed by the election.”

Among the deals seen moving forward are two expected to raise around US$1 billion each–the planned IPO of Westports Bhd., partly owned by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, and that of power company Malakoff Corp.

Other deals in the works include a US$500 million offering by industrial conglomerate UMW Holding’s Bhd., and an IPO by Iskandar Waterfront Holdings Sdn., a real estate developer focused on Malaysia’s southern Johor state, that is expected to raise up to US$300 million.

PHL congratulates re-election of Malaysian PM Najib; seeks close cooperation

Malaysia's ruling party reelected; extends 56-year rule. Malaysian PM Najib Razak (left) and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin share a light moment after winning the elections at his party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur early Sunday. Malaysia's governing coalition won a tight national election on May 6 to extend its 56-year rule, fending off an opposition alliance that pledged to clean up politics and end race-based policies in Southeast Asia's third-largest economy. Reuters/Bazuki Muhammad

The Philippines on Monday congratulated Malaysian Prime Minster Najib Razak and his ruling party, Barisan Nasional, on their victory at the 13th Malaysian General Elections last May 5.

 

“We value Prime Minister Najib’s personal commitment to the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace talks and the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, and we will continue to work closely with him in our common aspiration for peace and security,” a DFA statement said.

 

Malaysia is brokering the ongoing peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF rebels.

 

“We look forward to the further deepening of our bilateral relations and continuing our close cooperation, especially in the areas of socio-economic growth and the welfare of our peoples,” it added.

(Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com)

Cambodian PM greets Malaysia’s Najib for victory in general election

PHNOM PENH, May 6 — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday expressed congratulations to Malaysia’s ruling Barisan Nasional Chairman Najib Razak on his party’s victory in the general election on Sunday.

“From here, I’d like to congratulate His Excellency Najib Razak for, once again, winning in the general election and continuing to lead the Malaysian government in the next five years. We will continue to work together,” Hun Sen said during a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a road in Kampong Speu province.

Barisan retained power by winning 133 parliamentary seats, a simple majority in the 222-seat lower house of parliament.

Najib took over as Malaysian prime minister in 2009 and was sworn in as the prime minister for a second term Monday afternoon.

(Source: http://www.nzweek.com)

Malaysia GE13: PM Lee congratulates PM Najib on his victory

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong congratulated Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak on his victory in Sunday's general election.

Mr Lee made a telephone call to Mr Najib on Monday afternoon, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

"Prime Minister Lee said that he looked forward to continue working with Prime Minister Najib to strengthen ties. Both Prime Ministers agreed to further enhance our close bilateral partnership," MFA said in a statement.

Mr Lee has also written a congratulatory letter to Mr Najib.

In his letter, Mr Lee also congratulated Mr Najib on his win in his seat in Pekan, Pahang.

"The Barisan Nasional's convincing win reflects your people's confidence in your leadership and the value they placed on continuity and stability.

"This was a particularly hard-fought general election, but you ran a strong campaign that focused on your people's concerns and persuaded them of your vision for Malaysia," Mr Lee wrote.

"I wish you all the best in your next term of Government. I look forward to continue working with you to deepen our bilateral cooperation.

"As we discussed at our Leaders' Retreat in February, our countries have large and growing stakes in each other's success. Let us strengthen our close partnership for the benefit of both our peoples."

(Source: http://www.straitstimes.com)

Najib seen as winning factor in BN's retention of power

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak is widely seen as "the winning factor" in Barisan Nasional's retention of power in the 13th General Election yesterday.

The BN chairman's transformation agenda, introduced after he became prime minister in 2009, gave the people a new hope of moving Malaysia towards becoming a high-income economy.

Nevertheless, it was not without a hard-fought political battle that Najib secured his first mandate from the people that gave the BN 133 seats in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat.

The Pakatan Rakyat garnered 89 seats, divided among its allies DAP (38), PKR (30) and PAS (21).

Najib himself retained the Pekan parliamentary seat in Pahang with a majority of 51,278 votes, higher than that secured in the 2008 general election.

The BN recaptured Kedah from Pakatan Rakyat but failed in its bid to wrest Penang, Kelantan and Selangor.

GE13: Najib to take oath of office at Istana Negara at 3pm

Najib second from left, Muhyiddin second from right, and other leaders celebrate after winning the general election in Kuala Lumpur.

 

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will take his oath of office as Prime Minister today.
His is expected to be sworn in before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah at Istana Negara at 3pm.

Najib, who is chairman of Barisan Nasional which won 133 seats in the 13th general election on Sunday.

Earlier this morning, he sought an audience with the King to inform of Barisan's victory which enables the coalition to form the federal government.

(Source: The Star Online)

Election Boosts Malaysian Market

Malaysia’s shares, bonds and currency rose sharply Monday after the incumbent National Front’s general election victory diminished pre-poll political risk.

The ruling coalition Sunday won 133 of 222 parliamentary seats – compared with 140 in the previous election in 2008 –which is a comfortable enough margin to ensure policy continuity, fund managers and analysts said.

Prime Minister Najib Razak had sought a clear mandate to push through a $444 billion Economic Transformation Program, aimed at making Malaysia a high-income economy by 2020.

“The slimmer majority is in line with market expectation and is taken positively by investors because it means the National Front is still the government and there will be consistency in policies,” said Choo Swee Kee, who manages 700 million ringgit ($230.7 million) as chief investment officer of TA Investment Management Bhd.

The FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index opened 4.5% higher at 1771.62 and reached a record 1826.22; the price of 10-year Malaysian Government Securities rose, pushing the yield down to 3.348%; the U.S. dollar touched a 21-month low of 2.9860 ringgit.

“Malaysia’s [stock] market has underperformed regional markets in Southeast Asia because of concern over political risk; and with the general election now over, the risk premium will diminish,” said Andy Ong, head of research at Affin Investment Bank Bhd. 5185.KU +3.18%

Credit-ratings firms have long warned of Malaysia’s poor fiscal health, pointing to high debt and massive subsidies, which  they say undermine the government’s credit profile.

“Fitch looks forward to greater clarity on the government’s fiscal and economic policy program following Sunday’s elections,” Andrew Colquhoun, head of Asia-Pacific sovereigns at Fitch Ratings, said after the election.

The credit-ratings company had previously noted rising public debt ratios “may eventually exert negative pressure on the ratings,” Mr. Colquhoun said in a statement.

(Source: The Wall Street Journal)

GE13: It’s 133 for BN and 89 for Opposition

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional won 133 parliamentary seats at the 13th general election to record a slightly reduced performance compared to 2008, but it managed to wrest Kedah from Pakatan Rakyat.

The ruling coalition failed to regain Selangor and Penang but retained Perak with a slim three-seat majority, due to what Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak described as a “Chinese tsunami”.

As at press time, the results for two parliamentary seats had yet to be announced.

While peninsula Malay and bumiputra voters from Sabah and Sarawak mostly kept their faith in Barisan Nasional, Chinese voters rewarded Pakatan Rakyat - particularly the DAP, which won 38 seats, an increase of nine compared to the 29 seats it won in 2008. The Opposition won 89 seats.