Najib: High-Speed Rail, other key projects to take Johor to next level
Govt fulfills what it says it will do when it comes to serving the people, says prime minister
THE government does not sell hopes or promises to the people, but instead delivers on what it says it will do, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
He said the government, under the current administration, fulfilled what it said it would do when it came to serving the people.
“The government does not need to sell hopes and we do not need to sell promises. The government delivers.
“We are not promising (things), we are delivering. And, we will deliver much more because of many factors.
“Johor (in particular) will experience astounding development,” Najib said when launching the Progressive Johor Expo at Dataran Mahkota in Kota Iskandar here yesterday.
Present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar and Johor State Secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani.
Najib said the exposition was held so that there was a platform to showcase success stories in Johor and what was in store for the future.
He said people would be able to see the policies, projects and developments being done by the state government.
“The expo will explain things in detail because some quarters are trying to confuse people. As Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said, some people are selling falsehoods, hopes and promises.”
The nine-day showcase, which will end on Oct 14, features 150 exhibitors comprising state government agencies, the private sector, representatives from 16 local authorities, as well as government-linked companies.
Half a million visitors are expected for the event.
Najib said Johor was set to become the new economic powerhouse in the country due to rapid development, adding that this would turn the state into the nerve centre for the country’s economy.
“Johor’s progress has been very vigorous to the point that I would describe Johor as the new economic powerhouse in the country.
“This is an acknowledgement of the rapid development in the state. The country’s pulse of development will be in Johor.”
Najib cited several factors that contributed to Johor’s success, including the close cooperation between the federal and state governments.
He also acknowledged the efforts carried out under Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who greatly contributed to the state’s development.
He said one of the state government’s unique traits that led to its success was its policy to empower district officers and District Action Councils when it came to planning at the grassroots level.
He said all 10 districts were developed based on each of its niche sectors without relying on directives from the Federal Government.
“The Johor government is doing something different and unique by empowering district officers and District Action Councils in conducting planning that is not based on what is being done by federal ministries.
“Planning, choosing themes, setting priorities and allocation of duties are conducted at the district level. Every district in Johor has its theme, direction and priorities. I congratulate the Johor government for empowering the districts in terms of development planning.”
Khaled said Johor’s success was due to the hard work, persistence, commitment and perseverance of Johor folk.
“Johor’s success is a result of cooperation from many quarters
and not only due to the hard work of the state government and its staff,” he said, urging Johoreans to defend these achievements, made possible by the state government.
“The expo is a platform for us to separate fact from falsehood, perception from reality, opinion from truth and hope from the future.
“What is shown during this expo are facts, and they explain what is happening in Johor.
“This includes how the state government will shape the future of Johor and its people.
“After seeing these results and achievements, I urge Johoreans to step forward and defend these achievements,” said Khaled.