Najib confident economic growth momentum will continue in 2nd quarter

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak (pix) is confident the nation's economic growth will be maintained in the second quarter of the year driven by political stability and investors' confidence towards government policies.

He said the momentum would also be spurred by vibrant domestic activities coupled with a competitive export sector in the first quarter.

"Godwilling, this encouraging development will help the economy reach the target growth of more than five per cent this year.

"This target is in tandem with the 5.2 per cent forecast by the International Monetary Fund for 2014," he said in Parliament today.

Najib was replying to a question from Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (BN-Lenggong) who asked about Malaysia's current economic performance and how the country was fairing against its neighbours.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said the economy showed an encouraging trend in the first quarter with real Gross Domestic Product registering a growth of 6.2 per cent.

He said this was the highest GDP growth recorded since the fourth quarter of 2012.

"In fact, this growth was better than that recorded by the Philippines (5.7 per cent), Indonesia (5.2 per cent), Singapore (5.1 per cent) and Thailand (-0.6 per cent).

"This performance was supported by robust domestic activities and favourable external factors," he added.

Najib also said the sterling performance was a result of the Government Transformation Programme, high level of domestic savings, strong international reserves, resilient banking system, low unemployment and inflow of rapid foreign investments. – Bernama

Syabas! CRT recognises Najib as Architect of GTP

Congratulations to Prime Minister Najib and his team! Critics should now learn to clap for PM instead of hurling criticisms!

PUTRAJAYA (March 4): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today received the Caux Round Table (CRT) Certificate of Principled Governance in recognition of his outstanding leadership as the architect of the Malaysian Government Transformation Programme.

Najib received the award from the CRT global executive director Stephen B. Young at the Perdana Putra Complex, here.

"Thank you very so much. I am deeply honoured and humbled at the same time,” he said after receiving the certificate from Young at a brief ceremony at his office.

Also present were CRT co-chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim and CRT member and professional associate Kasit Piromya.

Among prominent recipients of the CRT are former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan and former Polish president Lech Walesa.

In reading out the acknowledgement note, Kasit said CRT was honouring Najib who had given the whole of his attention and unbounded energy to promoting the eight values of 1Malaysia according to his vision.

To give practical effect to these vitally important national unity goals, he said, Najib had instituted the Government Transformation Programme with the overarching object of propelling the nation to new heights of excellence in social, economic and political terms.

“Nothing of this order of magnitude has ever before been attempted.

“The Government Transformation Programme, by all accounts, has the potential of putting Malaysians where they deserve to be, at the top table among the ethnical and democratic nations of the world,” he said.

Kasit said the CRT recognised, with the appreciation, the public commitment of Najib to the importance of fair, just and principled governance in a democratic and responsible society.

He said the government innovation now underway promised a transformation through the implementation of best practices and would set in train enhanced standards of delivery in all fields of human development.

"This important initiative will set an example of good governance for the global community; Najib has used his high office with determination and foresight to transform Malaysia.

"It is fitting, therefore, that CRT should recognise his achievement by the conferral of the CRT Certificate of Principled Governance,” he said.

The CRT is a group of business leaders from all over the world promoting sound ethical principles for business and government.

Source: Fz