NAJIB CONTINUES WITH BREATHTAKING REFORMS
Newly-minted prime minister Najib Abdul Razak praised for his 'One Malaysia' concept.
Economists and analysts have been watching closely, whether the government would gradually liberalise more sectors, particularly the more sensitive sectors such as retail and banking, which also have certain ownership requirements but the government is seen as trying to avoid liberalising these sectors to avoid a political backlash.
However, judging from the speed and determination of the new administration, it seems that they are all out for liberalisation in this sector to turn the nation into a more attractive place for investment.
“In fact, we are very encouraged, quite a number of far-sighted decisions are now being undertaken at a very quick pace since he assumed premiership. This is very encouraging. If it follow through, it will have a positive impact on the sentiments, more importantly the investor confidence,” said Chief Economist, RAM Consultancy Service Dr Yeah Kean Leng.
“Less than 100 days, there are breathtaking changes. If we can follow through, it can be achieved in less than 100 days,” he added.
Political analysts said Najib was smart and bold in continuing this anti-affirmative-action jag, as they said he was aware of its political implications and knew that it was also the only way forward, particularly in the current bad global economic situation.
More importantly, Najib’s breathtaking reforms are what the public has been expecting all this while as the way forward for this multiracial but small country which is still very much dependent on natural resources, plantation and manufacturing as the main sources of income.
“It’s a practicality. You have no choice. Either you do something to give it a chance, or you wait till it dies naturally,” said James Wong, a former politician and political analyst.
Courtesy: The Malaysian Insider
Economists and analysts have been watching closely, whether the government would gradually liberalise more sectors, particularly the more sensitive sectors such as retail and banking, which also have certain ownership requirements but the government is seen as trying to avoid liberalising these sectors to avoid a political backlash.However, judging from the speed and determination of the new administration, it seems that they are all out for liberalisation in this sector to turn the nation into a more attractive place for investment.
“In fact, we are very encouraged, quite a number of far-sighted decisions are now being undertaken at a very quick pace since he assumed premiership. This is very encouraging. If it follow through, it will have a positive impact on the sentiments, more importantly the investor confidence,” said Chief Economist, RAM Consultancy Service Dr Yeah Kean Leng.
“Less than 100 days, there are breathtaking changes. If we can follow through, it can be achieved in less than 100 days,” he added.
Political analysts said Najib was smart and bold in continuing this anti-affirmative-action jag, as they said he was aware of its political implications and knew that it was also the only way forward, particularly in the current bad global economic situation.More importantly, Najib’s breathtaking reforms are what the public has been expecting all this while as the way forward for this multiracial but small country which is still very much dependent on natural resources, plantation and manufacturing as the main sources of income.
“It’s a practicality. You have no choice. Either you do something to give it a chance, or you wait till it dies naturally,” said James Wong, a former politician and political analyst.
Courtesy: The Malaysian Insider
NAJIB TO DROP BUMIPUTERA QUOTA
KUALA LUMPUR- Datuk Seri Najib Razak today freed the country's services sector by ending the 30 per cent Bumiputera equity rule in an attempt to improve Malaysia's competitiveness in the softening global economy.The Prime Minister, who is also the finance minister, promised further liberalisation, saying that he would announce details of the liberalisation of the financial sector next week.
Reading from a prepared statement the Prime Minister said he expected a greater flow of foreign investments in the services sector which currently forms 11 per cent of total investment.
"Recognising the growth potential in the services sector, the government has decided to immediately liberalise 27 services sub-sectors, with no equity condition imposed. These sub-sectors are in the areas of health and social services, tourism services, transport services, business services and computer and related services," said Najib.
The government, he added, would also allow foreign legal firms to practice in the country but to only offer services in Islamic finance.
"As part of the measures to develop Malaysia as an international Islamic financial hub, the legal profession will be liberalised to allow up to five top international law firms with expertise in international Islamic finance to practice in Malaysia," said Najib.
Other services liberalised are in the areas of health and social services, tourism services, transport services, business services and computer and related services.
Courtesy: The Malaysian Insider
Reading from a prepared statement the Prime Minister said he expected a greater flow of foreign investments in the services sector which currently forms 11 per cent of total investment.
"Recognising the growth potential in the services sector, the government has decided to immediately liberalise 27 services sub-sectors, with no equity condition imposed. These sub-sectors are in the areas of health and social services, tourism services, transport services, business services and computer and related services," said Najib.The government, he added, would also allow foreign legal firms to practice in the country but to only offer services in Islamic finance.
"As part of the measures to develop Malaysia as an international Islamic financial hub, the legal profession will be liberalised to allow up to five top international law firms with expertise in international Islamic finance to practice in Malaysia," said Najib.Other services liberalised are in the areas of health and social services, tourism services, transport services, business services and computer and related services.
Courtesy: The Malaysian Insider
PENANTI BY - ELECTION'S DILEMMA
KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 – Despite pressure from some powerful voices in Umno, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak still believes that the Barisan Nasional (BN) should not field a candidate in the Penanti by-election.
This decision is likely to displease Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and some other party officials but the Prime Minister has told Umno officials that it is time the ruling coalition stops becoming a player in the political pantomime crafted and staged by the Opposition.
During a closed-door briefing with Johor Umno on Sunday, Najib said he believes that Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) strategy is to hold by-elections at regular intervals, thereby keeping the political temperature in the country bubbling and distracting the BN federal government from the important job of resuscitating the economy.
A senior Johor Umno official told The Malaysian Insider: “PM made the point that we just cannot go along and be a party to this Opposition strategy of having by-elections. We have to make a stand and say that we are not interested in these games. “Of course if the by-election is caused by the death of the incumbent, that is a different issue. But if it caused by the resignation of Opposition lawmakers then BN’s position should be to give the by-election a miss.”
Many senior Johor Umno officials are backing Najib’s position on giving Penanti a miss and the party president is likely to make a similar pitch at the supreme council meeting this week.
He has said that he will be guided by the views of the BN component parties. The sentiment among BN officials is that Penanti will be difficult to snare from Pakatan Rakyat, given the fact that this state seat is in the Permatang Pauh constituency, Anwar Ibrahim’s stronghold.
In addition, it is an open secret that Umno in Permatang Pauh is split into three factions, creating doubts in the ruling party’s ability to muster an effective challenge on the ground.
This decision is likely to displease Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and some other party officials but the Prime Minister has told Umno officials that it is time the ruling coalition stops becoming a player in the political pantomime crafted and staged by the Opposition.During a closed-door briefing with Johor Umno on Sunday, Najib said he believes that Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) strategy is to hold by-elections at regular intervals, thereby keeping the political temperature in the country bubbling and distracting the BN federal government from the important job of resuscitating the economy.
A senior Johor Umno official told The Malaysian Insider: “PM made the point that we just cannot go along and be a party to this Opposition strategy of having by-elections. We have to make a stand and say that we are not interested in these games. “Of course if the by-election is caused by the death of the incumbent, that is a different issue. But if it caused by the resignation of Opposition lawmakers then BN’s position should be to give the by-election a miss.”
Many senior Johor Umno officials are backing Najib’s position on giving Penanti a miss and the party president is likely to make a similar pitch at the supreme council meeting this week.He has said that he will be guided by the views of the BN component parties. The sentiment among BN officials is that Penanti will be difficult to snare from Pakatan Rakyat, given the fact that this state seat is in the Permatang Pauh constituency, Anwar Ibrahim’s stronghold.
In addition, it is an open secret that Umno in Permatang Pauh is split into three factions, creating doubts in the ruling party’s ability to muster an effective challenge on the ground. BN officials know that a defeat in Penanti will give Pakatan Rakyat bragging rights as well as cement the view that the voter sentiment in West Malaysia is firmly with the Opposition.
Pakatan Rakyat has won all four by-elections held in peninsular Malaysia since the general elections in March last year- and all with increased majorities.
Pakatan Rakyat has won all four by-elections held in peninsular Malaysia since the general elections in March last year- and all with increased majorities.
Still, the Mahathir camp believes that victory in Penanti is achievable. They have compiled a ground report which shows that the seat can be snared from the Opposition.
The former prime minister’s supporters have been using this report to persuade Umno officials that it would be a grave mistake to concede the seat without a fight.
On March 8 2008, Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Fairus Khairuddin defeated BN’s Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid by 2,219 votes. Four years earlier, Abdul Jalil won the seat by 667 vote.
The former prime minister’s supporters have been using this report to persuade Umno officials that it would be a grave mistake to concede the seat without a fight.
On March 8 2008, Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Fairus Khairuddin defeated BN’s Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid by 2,219 votes. Four years earlier, Abdul Jalil won the seat by 667 vote.Courtesy: The Malaysian Insider
BN LEADERS TO TONE DOWN POLITICAL RHETORIC
Najib said the people would be most unhappy if what had been promised to them were not fulfilled.
JOHOR BAHARU, April 21 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has reminded leaders of Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to tone down on political rhetoric that could erode public confidence in the party.
“If we make a certain promise, we must deliver the promise and our administration will ensure that the people’s aspirations are met in the best possible way,” Najib said at a dinner with leaders of the Johor BN component parties, here last night.
Also present were his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, State BN chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and chairmen of the State BN component parties.
Najib said the BN should be helming whatever transformation that was going on in the country.
BN could no longer afford to treat the present situation as “business as usual,” he said, and the changes that the BN should be carrying out included breaking the wall that divided the various ethnic groups in the country and turning the party into one that fully represented all the ethnic groups.
“I believe the dividing wall between the ethnic groups can be demolished,” he said.
Earlier, Abdul Ghani, who is also the Johor Menteri Besar, expressed the solid support of the Johor BN for Najib’s leadership and would strive to preserve the state as a BN stronghold.
JOHOR BAHARU, April 21 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has reminded leaders of Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to tone down on political rhetoric that could erode public confidence in the party.“If we make a certain promise, we must deliver the promise and our administration will ensure that the people’s aspirations are met in the best possible way,” Najib said at a dinner with leaders of the Johor BN component parties, here last night.
Also present were his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, State BN chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and chairmen of the State BN component parties.Najib said the BN should be helming whatever transformation that was going on in the country.
BN could no longer afford to treat the present situation as “business as usual,” he said, and the changes that the BN should be carrying out included breaking the wall that divided the various ethnic groups in the country and turning the party into one that fully represented all the ethnic groups.
“I believe the dividing wall between the ethnic groups can be demolished,” he said.
Earlier, Abdul Ghani, who is also the Johor Menteri Besar, expressed the solid support of the Johor BN for Najib’s leadership and would strive to preserve the state as a BN stronghold.
STATE UMNO CHIEFS MUST BE ACHIEVERS
PEKAN, PAHANG : Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said state Umno chiefs to be appointed must be able to move the party forward and be acceptable to other Umno leaders in their respective states.The Prime Minister said that although Umno's constitution gave the president the prerogative to make the appointments, he would make consultations with senior Umno leaders first on the matter.
"Be patient, I have not decided yet, what is important is to have a line up that can move the party forward," he told reporters after his homecoming to Pekan following his appointment as Malaysia's sixth prime minister on April 3. Najib is also the Member of Parliament for Pekan.Najib said this when asked to comment on news reports today that the new Umno Supreme Council (MT) would hold its first meeting on April 24 after the party's polls at the end of March.
The meeting will be very significant as who will be the state Umno chiefs, party secretary-general and information chief will be made known.
Najib said: "In states we lost (during the last general election) there are no Barisan Nasional (BN) menteris besar. We will have to appoint from among non-menteris besar to be the chiefs".
Najib also declined to comment on whether any menteri besar would be dropped as state Umno chiefs and only said: "Wait first."
1 MALAYSIA MEANS SHARING POWER AND WEALTH
KLANG, April 17 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has much explaining to do. While many Malaysians continue to scratch their heads at his “1 Malaysia” drawn up late last year, Najib today attempted to style the vague concept in business terms.Speaking at the 63rd annual general meeting of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), Najib reminded the ballroom full of businessmen of the “formula” which had formed the glue, and a successful one at that, that held the country together through the years.
He noted the formula “power sharing, equitable wealth distribution and eradication of poverty” was introduced years ago and was what held the people together all these years,” and promised to continue the legacy.“This government of today has always implemented business-friendly policies for the good of the nation. It's a symbiotic relationship; when businesses thrive, the government collects more revenues in taxes that can be used to provide for services to the people.
“As such, I will hold true to the government policy of pro-business and this is my pledge as Prime Minister to all Malaysians: 1 Malaysia,” said Najib, to loud applause.In the same breath, Najib then asked the ethnic Chinese business community to show their appreciation to the government for its “pro-business” policies, in an apparent reference to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's words in an interview with Mingguan Malaysia last week, after the Barisan Nasional suffered another defeat in the Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau by-elections.
Courtesy: The Malaysian Insider
NAJIB HAS TO SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT
KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 — A Mahathir-era adviser has warned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to prioritise Malaysia's economy and restore it by July or face the same fate as his predecessor.Matthias Chang said Najib and his administration have had five years of warming up or planning programmes and should swing into action immediately to make things right instead of still figuring out the strategies.
"What is the single-most important thing that you must do as captain and treasurer of the team to win the confidence and support of the fans? If you and your team do not know the answer, I suggest that you join the just retired captain and save us a whole load of aggravation," the former political secretary to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad wrote in his futurefastforward.com weblog yesterday.
"You have been warned!" Chang added ominously in the post titled “Is The New Captain Another Football Captain Just Warming Up? It May Be Worse, The Team (i.e. Advisers) Is Still In The Dressing Room!”While not seen as influential, Chang is still a regular visitor at the Perdana Leadership Institute in Putrajaya where Dr Mahathir keeps his office. He is best remembered for organising a tea ceremony where Chinese leaders offered tea to Dr Mahathir in September 2001.
Dr Mahathir himself wrote yesterday that Najib's Cabinet contained several unsavoury characters although he congratulated the prime minister for not appointing Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin whom he called corrupt.
"As a government, you are expected to perform and perform well, so don't tell us that you will monitor your team's performance. You are the captain. Act like one!
"You better shape up fast or we will ship you and your team out!" Chang wrote in capitals while admonishing the country's sixth prime minister who took office two weeks ago.
Chang also chastised Najib for not offering anything new in his Cabinet."It is the same old team, with the same tactics, and the same cheer leaders. Can you just tell us what is new, different and really meaningful? And for heaven’s sake, don’t do or say anything that will remind us of the just retired captain, his arrogant son-in-law and their baggage.
Courtesy: The Malaysian Insider
NAJIB TO MINISTERS: PREPARE TO BE RATED
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak chaired his first Cabinet meeting on Wednesday with a reminder to ministers to “give their best” and that it is important for them to have “job satisfaction” with their portfolios.He said he also told the ministers not to work with only their communities in mind, but to give their assistance to every ethnic group and to break away from such mentality.
Najib said he also told the ministers to expect their first evaluation under the key performance indicators (KPIs) in November, adding that the line-up was a “people’s Cabinet” which must be capable of fulfilling the people’s high expectations and hopes.He said he also stressed to them the importance of not being seen to be making decisions that sided with “special interest groups” or corporate bodies.
“The bottomline is that any decision should be made with the interests of the rakyat (people) in mind although it is important for the Government to continue with private sector friendly policies.“I have told Cabinet members that with the current political situation, the people have become more critical and they should not assume that it’s still business as usual. So, there must be change and renewal.
“I emphasised the need for them to open their doors and hold discourses and dialogues with various groups so that any decision really has the interests of the people at heart,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
Asked if ministers would be dropped if they failed to achieve their KPI, Najib said Cabinet ministers were fully aware that the future of the Government depended on them and on them performing their duties. “I’m sure they will carry out their responsibility,” he said.
Courtesy: The Star Online
Courtesy: The Star Online
ONE MALAYSIA MUST BE PROPERLY DEFINED
KUALA LUMPUR: Malay groups say that the concept will not alter the affirmative action programme and is only meant to bring up the level of economic development of under privileged groups, regardless of race.
The Opposition and non-Malays believe that it is not possible to speak about One Malaysia if Chinese, Indians,Kadazan and Ibans continue to be accorded second class status here.
The backlash from the non-Malays as well as unhappiness by the Malaysian Indian Congress over their representation in Cabinet has stirred anger in Umno circles.
Today, Utusan Malaysia, the Umno-owned daily had a front-paged reported titled: “Arise Malays’’. The report called on the Malays to unite and fend off what appeared to be unreasonable demands by other races.
Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali warned non-Malay leaders that the government could ignore all their demands because Malays held sufficient seats in Parliament to set up a government of only Malay lawmakers.
‘‘The Malay party will be strong when the interests of Malays are looked after. So Umno should focus on Malays. So Umno does not have to feel any fear because I believe that when Umno is strong, the non-Malays will automatically support BN, ‘’ he said.
Ironically whenever Umno feels threatened, ruling party politicians dredge up the idea of Umno and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas) coming together.
Backbencher Datuk Mohamad Aziz said that Umno and Pas should sit down and resolve their differences and work to defend the rights of the Malays.
The Malaysian Insider has learnt that Najib has not fleshed out the One Malaysia concept yet. But events and rhetoric since he took over as PM should be a clear indication that it will take more than a few nice sounding words or gestures to bring down the mercury in Malaysia.
There is deep suspicion among the races and this will not be resolved by proclaiming to be the PM of all Malaysians and tossing a few chapatis.
Malays, Chinese, Indians and others have high expectations of anyone who says he is the leader of all Malaysians. Just ask Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Courtesy: The Malaysian Insider
The Opposition and non-Malays believe that it is not possible to speak about One Malaysia if Chinese, Indians,Kadazan and Ibans continue to be accorded second class status here.
The backlash from the non-Malays as well as unhappiness by the Malaysian Indian Congress over their representation in Cabinet has stirred anger in Umno circles.
Today, Utusan Malaysia, the Umno-owned daily had a front-paged reported titled: “Arise Malays’’. The report called on the Malays to unite and fend off what appeared to be unreasonable demands by other races.
Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali warned non-Malay leaders that the government could ignore all their demands because Malays held sufficient seats in Parliament to set up a government of only Malay lawmakers.‘‘The Malay party will be strong when the interests of Malays are looked after. So Umno should focus on Malays. So Umno does not have to feel any fear because I believe that when Umno is strong, the non-Malays will automatically support BN, ‘’ he said.
Ironically whenever Umno feels threatened, ruling party politicians dredge up the idea of Umno and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas) coming together.Backbencher Datuk Mohamad Aziz said that Umno and Pas should sit down and resolve their differences and work to defend the rights of the Malays.
The Malaysian Insider has learnt that Najib has not fleshed out the One Malaysia concept yet. But events and rhetoric since he took over as PM should be a clear indication that it will take more than a few nice sounding words or gestures to bring down the mercury in Malaysia.
There is deep suspicion among the races and this will not be resolved by proclaiming to be the PM of all Malaysians and tossing a few chapatis.
Malays, Chinese, Indians and others have high expectations of anyone who says he is the leader of all Malaysians. Just ask Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Courtesy: The Malaysian Insider
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