PM: Reforms will continue

Najib vows to push on to transform country’s economy

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has promised to continue with the reforms of the country’s economy and try to undo much of the damage caused by one of his predecessors.

Speaking before international fund managers and captain of industries, Najib said the leadership of his nonagenarian predecessor – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad – was one “rife with cronyism and corruption”, resulting in a high price being paid by Malaysians.

“Under his leadership, many corners were cut and Malaysians had to pay a very high price so that a few of his friends benefited, even when symbols of national pride had horrendous and catastrophic decisions inflicted on them.

“But I say to you now that under this Government, we are cracking down on crony capitalism. No more sweetheart deals. No more national follies kept going to stroke the ego of one man.

“No more treating national companies as though they were person- al property,” he said in his keynote address at the 13th Invest Malaysia Kuala Lumpur here yesterday.

“This Government will always be straight with the people and we will always do right by the people,” Najib said, adding that their interests would always be put first, even if it was not the popular thing to do.

He also accused the Opposition of being in chaos as well as engaged in a campaign to spread misinformation about Malaysia’s economy for their selfish political objectives.

“It is this Government that offers certainty to businesses both in Malaysia and overseas. The Opposition offers none at all. They are in chaos.

“Two leading members of one party can’t agree if the old opposition alliance still exists in the state of Selangor – it’s like a Punch and Judy show!” he said.

Denouncing the Opposition for misleading the people on the state of the nation’s economy, Najib said this was unfair for Malaysians and the business community.