PASIR SALAK, Perak, July 4 — Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today described as a bold step the approach adopted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to further liberalise the Malaysian economy.
He said Najib, since taking over as prime minister, had implemented several approaches and measures which would bring many benefits to the country.
“The latest approach of further liberalising the economy is a bold measure. The most important thing is that it does not sacrifice the New Economic Policy (NEP), particularly the aspect of eradication of poverty because there is unfinished work here.
“Furthermore, the restructuring of society should also continue to be implemented to ensure racial balance (in terms of employment by sector and occupation as well as economic ownership) so that no one is marginalised or forgotten,” he said at an appreciation function in his honour organised by the Pasir Salak parliamentary constituency and the Perak government in Kampung Gajah here.
Abdullah’s wife, Tun Jeanne Abdullah, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his wife, Datin Seri Saripah Zulkifli, and Pasir Salak MP Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman were among the 5,000 people who attended the function.
Abdullah expressed confidence that Najib would always adopt the best approach for the people and country based on the current situation and in the interests of society.
He also said that the Perak government helmed by Dr Zambry would have to continue with its development efforts and give priority to the interests of the people.
“Now is not the time to engage in quarrels with the opposition. It is an opposition tactic to spark off incidents for the sole purpose of drawing the attention of the people. If we entertain all these, our time will be wasted in quarrels. Do not quarrel with the opposition and also within the party (Umno and the BN),” he said.
Dr Zambry, in his speech, said the nation had done no wrong in raising every one of its leaders.
“The people must have in themselves the quality of appreciating the deeds of leaders at all levels. The generation and leaders of today should not forget the leaders of the past,” he said. – Bernama
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