PM: Non-populist measures will benefit in the long-term

PUTRAJAYA:Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak (pix) has asserted that short-term measures and actions embarked upon by the government were rather difficult to execute and non-populist in nature, but were aimed at bringing long-term benefits to the people and country.
The prime minister said for example, the Selangor government's refusal to go along with the federal government's proposal to build the Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant in 2009 had resulted in a water crisis plaguing the Klang Valley of late.
"This is the reality that many people do not appreciate, thus blaming the federal government for the woes. Actually, we can prove that if the 2009 proposal was accepted, the Klang valley will not be saddled with the problem.
"Do not look at the short-term difficulties. Do not look at it from the populist viewpoint because sometimes our considerations must be based on what are the long-term benefits for the people and country.
"Although in the short-term, we might face some difficulties, they are for our own good in the long run," he said when addressing the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister's Department here.
Najib, who is also finance minister, said the government was always making short and long-term policy considerations in the interest of the country.
"However, there are times when we have to do something that we know is difficult for our own good.
"In the short-term we may face difficulties while certain quarters will twist the facts or plant seeds of hatred against the government.
"We have to finish the course of medication to recover from our illness. Just in our country's transformation journey, we must take the prescribed medication and believe in its final results. God willing, we can all derive the benefits and have a more successful country," he said.
On the Auditor-General's Report, he urged civil servants to take serious views of the criticisms made. "We must take it more seriously. Year after year, criticisms on abuse of power, irregularities and shortcomings in our administration can be reduced to nothing at all. This must be done," he said. – Bernama