Malaysia – Growing in Love, Harmony and Prosperity

Some leaders boast about their achievements by glorifying themselves or amplifying their achievements. Some remain modest and unaffected by their greatness because their focus is on their mission which tunes their vision to others, seldom ever upon themselves. Our Prime Minister, Dato Seri Najib, is in the second category. Undaunted by critics both near and far, he remains unfazed by negative remarks and brickbats hurled by friends and foes alike.

At play are forces out to discredit the Prime Minister in any and every way as seen in MSM and online portals. Brainwashed, many are apathetic about unraveling truth independently, preferring to demonize our PM and the government at every opportunity. Whilst it is a democratic right to enjoy freedom of expression, this right must not be abused for any selfish.

Today, Prime Minister Najib Razak offered tax incentives to companies that establish nurseries and allow flexible work arrangements to encourage more women to resume their careers. This will support PM Najib’s efforts to spur economic growth and become a high-income nation by 2020 since about 66% of women leave the workforce because of family responsibilities. Productivity and GDP will increase when more women return to the workforce.

Two days ago, our PM announced that the government is prepared to consider the participation of the FELDA Vision Generation Alliance (GWGF) in the FELDA Investment Cooperative 2 (KPF 2) to bring greater progress to the FELDA settlers. KPF 2, a cooperative especially for the new generation of FELDA settlers, was approved in 2011 and will be an economic development model for the new generation, complementary to the FELDA Investment Cooperative. How many showered accolades on the PM for this development?

A few days earlier, our PM also announced that the country's economic management is at the best level considering that the economic growth in the second quarter far exceeded expectations. Malaysia's economy grew 6.2 per cent in the first quarter of this year and 6.4 per cent in the second quarter. In addition, did our rakyat rejoice or did they jump on the bandwagon to slam the PM when others started a new onslaught on him?

Five days ago, Bank Negara issued growth unexpectedly accelerated to the fastest pace in six quarters on surging exports, adding scope for the central bank to raise interest rates further. The ringgit rose to a nine-month high. In fact, Malaysia was the first nation in South-East Asia to raise its benchmark rate in 2014 because records show how investment, private consumption, and overseas orders for the nation’s goods have sustained growth. The truth is this – Malaysia, Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy is now outperforming its regional counterparts while neighboring nations such as Indonesia and Singapore slowed down in the last quarter.

Last week, Bloomberg headlined how “Malaysia Booms as Najib Beats Growth Goal With Investment” and highlighted how “per capita gross national income rose to $10,060 last year, crossing the $10,000 threshold for the first time”.  Frederico Gil Sander, World Bank senior country economist for Malaysia stated the country is heading in the right direction.

Another milestone achieved by PM Najib’s capable team is Malaysia’s progress to No. 6 in the organization’s “Doing Business 2014” report on business-friendly nations, which is SIX steps up from No. 12 in 2013 and NINETEEN STEPS up from No. 25 in 2007. The index, measuring 189 countries, covers everything from starting a company to dealing with permits.

According to Zainal Amanshah, CEO of InvestKL, a government agency created to lure global companies, Malaysia’s progress is helping investors overcome perceptions that it is difficult to find talent here. For the record, InvestKL has induced 38 multinational firms to set up regional headquarters around Kuala Lumpur - a very impressive record considering his goal is to 100 companies by 2020.

On August 15 ’14, Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz anticipates GDP expansion this year will probably exceed the central bank’s forecast range of 4.5 percent to 5.5 percent. She also announced the government would announce a new growth forecast during its budget, she said.  Barclays Plc and Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.’s analysts raised their 2014 growth estimates for Malaysia after today’s data.

Before anyone starts hurling negative remarks to decry all these achievements, please consider regional development trends. Indonesia’s growth eased to the slowest since 2009 last quarter, while Singapore’s expansion was the least in more than a year. Thailand may say its economy swung to an expansion of 0.1 percent in the second quarter from a year ago, according to the median of 15 estimates before the data is released Aug. 18. So, remove your blinkers and celebrate! Our country IS progressing under the capable leadership of Dato’ Seri Najib!

When we talk of leadership and development of a nation, we look at economic data and trends in important variables. Whether or not PM Najib learnt from previous elections or whether he abolished the right laws, made appropriate rulings etc are largely of subjective value, which differ from one person to another depending on their class, education, income and other factors. However, when SO MANY categories of statistics tell the same story about how Malaysia, under the able leadership of our PM is growing in the right direction, let us stop, take a deep breath, put on our thinking caps and untainted lenses to look at our PM and this country again to be fair in our judgement.

We will soon be celebrating Malaysia’s 57th anniversary of our Independence. As we step into our 58th year of existence, let us live in tandem with this year’s theme – ‘Malaysia – Where Love Grows’. May our country continue to grow in every area and our citizens grow in love, harmony and prosperity together.


The Malaysian Insider and The Malay Mail also carried this post. Thanks to the editors.