Malaysians urged to build a better future

Malaysians are urged to fulfill their responsibility in building a better future for the coming generations and place the country in its rightful position.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak made this call today in his 2011 New Year message, explaining that the government cannot be successful in its efforts to spur development in the country without the peoples' cooperation.

"Let’s not be satisfied and just sit back to be mere critics. Let’s mould a better future for the coming generations," Mr. Najib was quoted by state-run news agency Bernama.

Mr. Najib has been linked to controversies, including the questionable deals for the purchase of two Scorpene submarines and 18 Sukhoi fighter jets in 2008. 

Malaysia was seen plunging down to a lowest corruption rating in 2010, according to a Transparency International report, with an index score of 4.4. The country ranks at 56 out of 178 countries rated.

“Learning from mistakes, throughout 2010, we built a strong foundation to ensure that the nation’s potentials and resources can be stimulated and mobilised towards achieving the national vision,” he said.

He identified the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) along with the six National Key Result Areas (NKRA) and the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) with the 12 National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) as the basis of the New Economic Model, the 10th Malaysia Plan and Budget 2011, which served as a comprehensive roadmap to raise the living standard and quality of life of the people to a higher level.

The prime minister also took a swipe on the opposition for criticising the construction of several projects including the North-South Expressway, the Petronas Twin Towers and the Penang Bridge. He said they were now too embarrassed to admit their mistake because these projects had brought much benefit to the people.

“The question is if their opinions have proven to be wrong in such major matters, how can the people possibly trust any of their promises?” he said.