Malaysiakini-Bernama 11:38PM Mar 12, 2013
Before calling for the next general election, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said he first wanted to show to the people what had actually been achieved through the various initiatives in the country’s transformation agenda.
He said this in the ‘Conversation with the PM’ programme aired over TV3 tonight.
Noting that real changes were taking place since he took office in 2009, he said the government would need more time to ensure that the people felt the positive outcome of the transformation agenda.
“Because, when we plan things, it does take time (to show results), but I’m pleased that the outcome is positive,” he said.
Queried on the opposition pact’s election manifesto, Najib said the promises it contained would be impossible to deliver.
“The question is funding … that they have not stated. Based on what they have done, many of the promises contained in the (election) manifesto of 2008 have remained just empty promises,” he said.
On the opposition’s pledge to lower car prices, Najib said the government had taken a step-by-step approach in the matter.
“Basically, Malaysians can look forward to cheaper cars but, at the same time, (it will) not destruct the second-hand car market,” he said.
The government’s plan would also give time for local carmaker Proton to become more competitive, he said, adding that it would be a win-win situation and the best way forward for all those involved.
He urged Malaysians to have faith in the BN government to bring them a better future and take the country to greater heights as the best had yet to come.
He said the people should not gamble away their future by experimenting withan opposition comprising parties with markedly different agendas
Najib said they were even at loggerheads as to who should be the leader if they were to form the government.
However, the prime minister expressed confidence that the people were behind the government as the country prepared to hold the much-awaited 13th general election.
Economy on solid track
The prime minister said under BN, the economy was on a solid track.
“We have been able to buck the external global economic trend. In the last quarter, we achieved 6.4 percent growth, which indicates the resilience of the national economy.
“When we talk about benefits to the people from 2009 to 2011, our Gross National Income (GNI) per capita has grown from US$6,670 to US$9,970, roughly about 49 percent.
“There is no country in the world that has achieved this kind of result,” he said.
Najib said when the BN goes to the polls to seek a fresh mandate from the people, it was on the basis of a very solid track record.
“We can show the people that we have delivered,” he added.
– Bernama