Najib outlines vision for 2013 with eye on election

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called on Malaysians to stand by him and work together to ensure a brighter outlook for Malaysia in 2013.

In his New Year's address, the Prime Minister outlined the Government's major plans for the year to strengthen unity, improve social welfare, ensure economic growth and make Malaysia a better place to live in.

“Join me to turn these wishes into reality.

“Stand by me so that together we can ensure success in moving and working together to create the best possible future for our country and children,” he said.

Najib said the Government would not be able to provide the best service without the people's support and urged Malaysians to give a clear mandate to him and the Barisan Nasional coalition.

Referring to the general election that will be held this year, Najib said the country's future was too valuable to gamble with or to be turned into a subject of an experiment at the polls.

The Prime Minister said continuous effort and a clear direction was needed to build a nation but it takes only a short time to destroy it.

“The decision on how the future of the country is to be shaped and where Malaysia is to be taken lies in our hands.

“Today, this responsibility lies on our shoulders; whether Malaysia continues to move forward or back.”

In 2013, Najib said the country needed to further strengthen national unity, a core agenda under the “1Malaysia People First, Performance Now” philosophy.

Najib also pledged to improve the social network system to ensure the targeted assistance reached Malaysians in need of aid and subsidies.

Increasing the country's wealth by ensuring sustainable economic growth and fiscal health would also be a priority.

Najib said the Government would also focus its efforts this year to cut crime, protect the environment, improve health services as well as the quality of schools and other academic institutions.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in his New Year message said the arrival of 2013 meant that Malaysia had seven years left to achieve developed nation status.

“As a result of transformation programmes by Barisan under the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as well our unity, Malaysia is on a solid footing to emerge as a developed country,” he said.

Muhyiddin urged Malaysians to preserve their unity, peace and harmony as a foundation to build greater success.

(Source: The Star Online)