Government appreciates NGOs, says Najib

Warm welcome: Najib shaking hands with NGO representatives during the Hari Raya function in Putrajaya. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Government always appreciates and recognises the role and contributions of NGOs in developing the country.

As an open and rational government, he said it always heard the voice, views and ideas that were constructive from NGOs in the interest of the people and nation.

“In the latest political landscape following the process of globalisation and advances in information and communications technology and the like, the role played by NGOs has never been more important.

“As such, as a government, besides getting support from political bodies and various institutions, we cannot ignore the role played by NGOs in the country.

“My message is, the recognition of NGOs in the context of nation building cannot be understated. The voice and role of NGOs are growing more important by the day.

“It is only right that we give due space and opportunities so the role of NGOs will be taken into consideration by the Government,” he said at a Hari Raya function with Malay NGOs at his official residence here yesterday.

Education Revamp Necessary To Meet Demands Of Competitive World - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia requires a transformation of its entire education system to meet its high aspirations in an increasingly competitive global environment.

He said this would require an entirely new perspective so that students would be able to develop skills needed for the 21st century.

To this end, he said, the government had crafted the Malaysia Education Blueprint, providing a comprehensive plan for a rapid and sustainable transformation of the country's education system through to 2025.

In the preface of the blueprint launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today, Najib said: "By building on the range of initiatives introduced as National Key Result Areas, it sets out the fundamental changes required.

Najib thanks PDRM for crime prevention efforts

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today expressed gratitude to the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) for their continuous efforts to prevent crime in the country.

"Thank you and congratulations @PDRMsia for the continuous efforts to prevent crime. Cooperation from all quarters are very much appreciated," he said   on Twitter @NajibRazak today.

Najib also attached the report which stated that the country's violent crime had shrunk 21.6 per cent since the national crackdown on crime, dubbed Ops Cantas Khas, was launched by the PDRM on Aug 17.

The report also stated that the overall crime rate had declined by 14.7 per cent.

In another tweet, Najib also called on the public to give their support to the Karnival Usahawan Desa (KUD) or Rural Entrepreneurs Carnival 2013 scheduled to be held on Sept 25-27.

The prime minister said the support could be given by liking and sharing the carnival's Facebook page, or by visiting its official webpage at http://www.kud.my.

The carnival, which was first launched in 2006 with the aim of opening wider market for local entrepreneurs, will be held at Laman 1Malaysia, Precinct 2, Putrajaya.

Approximately one million people are expected to flock the carnival, which will see the participation of over 600 exhibitors and entrepreneurs. -- BERNAMA

(Source: http://www.nst.com.my)

Putrajaya promises relief for middle-class after pump price hike

Putrajaya promised today that Malaysia's growing middle-class would get some cushion to face the pump price rise announced yesterday that has led to wide outrage.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak bit the bullet on populist measures when he announced yesterday that RON 95 petrol would be increased by 20 sen to RM2.10 per litre as part of the subsidy rationalisation programme of the government.

"The prime minister will announce certain measures to minimise the impact of the rise in petrol prices for the middle-class in the upcoming Budget," Finance Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Irwan Siregar Abdullah said in Kuala Lumpur today.

Middle-class consumers had voiced their displeasure at the petrol hike as the government would compensate the lower-income households (earning below RM3,000) with higher cash handouts under the Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BRIM) but the middle-income group would feel the full brunt of the petrol increase.

"Even with the revised price, RON 95 subsidy provided by the government amounted to 63 sen per litre," Irwan said.

To another question on the announcement of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the upcoming Budget, Irwan said his ministry would launch an aggressive campaign to educate the public on GST if it was going to be implemented.

The Budget 2014 is due to be tabled on October 25, 2013.

(Source: http://news.malaysia.msn.com)

Ringgit hits 3-week high

SINGAPORE-The Malaysian ringgit hit a three-week high on Tuesday, outperforming some Southeast Asian currencies, as offshore funds bought it after the government cut fuel subsidies to reduce the country’s fiscal deficit.

The ringgit advanced 0.29 per cent to 3.2645 as of 11.07am in Kuala Lumpur, after hitting 3.2590, its strongest since August 13.

That compared with a 0.23 per cent gain for the Thai baht and 0.27 per cent appreciation of the Philippine peso.

Malaysian government bond yields slid.

Late Monday, Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak looked to sidestep political opponents and temper market jitters by cutting fuel subsidies to beef up the country’s fiscal position, which had spurred capital outflows.

Najib hopes new tertiary students will be grateful

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said yesterday he hoped that the students who registered at tertiary institutions yesterday would be grateful and would always have love for the religion, race and country.

The prime minister said the progress achieved by the nation since independence in 1957 did not come in the wink of an eye, but with the relentless sacrifices and efforts of the government leadership since then.

“So, let’s together carry on taking Malaysia to greater heights,” he said in his message to the new tertiary students on his blog, www.1malaysia.com.my.

Najib said that as knowledgeable youngsters, they carried the hope of the nation as its future leaders.

As such, he said, he and the rest of the national leadership hoped that they would take advantage of the opportunity to create academic excellence, increase knowledge, foster a culture of innovation, creativity and volunteerism and meet university aspirations.

Najib congratulated the students for having gained entry into tertiary institutions and congratulated their parents, too, saying they must be the happiest people around now.

Many public and private tertiary institutions were crowded yesterday with students and their parents during the registration for the 2013/2014 student intake. — Bernama

(Source: The Borneo Post)

PM Calls On Corporate Leaders Together Build Sustainable Growth For The Country

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called on corporate leaders to join hands together with the government in ensuring a sustainable growth for the country.

In calling for this, he said, the government alone cannot ensure sustainable growth but it was also up to the country's corporate leaders to continue to show leadership.

"The private sector will be the engine that drives Malaysia's future growth.

"As we raise our sights to look beyond developed nation status, I ask that you join us to ensure that no one is left behind," he said in his keynote address at The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) Gala Dinner and Awards Night 2013 in the capital, Monday.

Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, said the cumulative effect of these corporate leaders' individual business, investment and ethics decisions would set the tone for the whole economy.

"With that in mind, I ask that you remain committed not just to maximising your returns on investment and equity, but also to building a more sustainable economy for Malaysia; investing in people as well as projects and taking business decisions befitting our long-term ambitions not just short-term aims," he said.

Najib said one of the primary lessons from the 2008 financial crisis was that the short-term business decisions could fatally undermine the health not just of companies, but of whole economies.

Perutusan YAB Perdana Menteri Kepada Pelajar-Pelajar Baru IPT 2013

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, Salam Sejahtera dan Salam 1Malaysia,

Hari ini adalah hari yang paling bersejarah dalam hidup saudara dan saudari kerana berjaya menjadi pelajar-pelajar baru Universiti dan akan menjadi warga kampus. Saya ingin mengucapkan setinggi-tinggi tahniah kepada ibu bapa saudara dan saudari yang semestinya menjadi orang yang paling gembira ketika ini.

Para mahasiswa dan mahasiswi yang saya kasihi sekalian,

Sebagai anak muda yang berilmu, saudara/saudari menjadi harapan negara, untuk menjadi pewaris negara di masa hadapan. Oleh itu harapan saya dan seluruh kepimpinan negara, ambillah peluang dan kesempatan yang ada sekarang untuk menciptakan kecemerlangan akademik, tingkatkan pengetahuan yang ada, pupukkan budaya inovasi, kreativiti, kesukarelawan serta aspirasi universiti; dan yang paling penting sematkan perasaan cintakan agama, bangsa dan negara serta budaya bersyukur dan berterima kasih senantiasa. Kemajuan negara yang kita kecapi sekarang sejak tahun 1957, bukan dibina dengan sekelip mata tetapi ia dibina atas pengorbanan dan usaha yang berterusan oleh kepimpinan kerajaan yang sedia ada sejak merdeka lagi. Jadi, marilah kita bersama-sama teruskan masa depan Malaysia yang lebih cemerlang.

Akhir kata, sekali lagi ucapan tahniah saya kepada saudara dan saudari kerana berjaya menjadi warga ilmuan di menara gading ini. Semoga saudara dan saudari akan terus mencipta kejayaan akademik di universiti dan seterusnya menjadi generasi muda pewaris negara yang boleh menjadi pengganti kepimpinan negara di masa hadapan.

Sekian, Terima kasih.

Wabillahi Taufiq Walhidayah Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

(Source: http://www.1malaysia.com.my)

Govt adopts prudent spending on development projects: Najib

PUTRAJAYA (Sept 2, 2013): Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said today the government always strives to implement national development projects to meet the needs of the people, but depending on the nation's financial affordability.

The prime minister said certain criteria would be evaluated carefully prior to the implementation of the projects.

"It does not mean that we can fulfil all requests. There must be financial limits. If we spend too much, our economy will decline. If we do not spend, our economy will not grow. Therefore, we have to be prudent in our spending and try to eke out the maximum value for every ringgit that we spend," he said.

Najib spoke at the Aidilfitri open house of the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister's Department, here. Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

Najib also said that he believed the ICU would continue to play its vital role in supporting government efforts to develop the country and bring about a major transformation.

He expressed gratitude to the department for having given excellent service to the government and acknowledged that it was not easy for the ICU to be in the forefront.

"I know it is not easy to be in the forefront and handle so many requests, as well as having to face the bureaucratic inconvenience from the people and elected representatives.

"But, we do all these because the people's demand for development projects is always at a high level," he said. – Bernama

The Sun Daily 

PM: Merdeka day parade reflects love for country

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 31, 2013): The grand number of Malaysians gathered for the celebration of the 56th Merdeka Day was a testament to the spirit of patriotism that unites all layers of society.

Merdeka Square was crowded by thousands of people including tourists, many wearing their patriotism on their sleeves by proudly displaying "Jalur Gemilang" and some even found creative ways to use the national flag as a costume.

This year's theme was "Malaysiaku Berdaulat: Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku" (My Sovereign Malaysia: My Homeland), paying homage to the lives that were sacrificed in the brutal Lahad Datu invasion.

The security forces and family members of those killed during the Lahad Datu incursion were special guests at the parade and there was a musical reenactment of the bloody battle.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak was visibly moved by the national pride that was evident by contingents taking part in the parade and by the loud cheers from the crowd during the procession.

"It was a hair raising feeling for me to witness the patriotic spirit shown.

"The theme this year reflects us as Malaysians, where we were born in Malaysia, we grew up in Malaysia, we make a living Malaysia, and by God's grace, we will be buried in Malaysia," he said after the parade.

He also thanked various committees, the security forces, the public and private sectors, and students taking part in the parade and making it into a huge success.

Najib said that Malaysians should be grateful and learn from history so that the peace enjoyed today would be sustainable.

(Source: The Sun Daily)