Growth, development on right track, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's economic growth and development is on the right track despite attempts by certain parties to paint a negative picture of the country and government, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
He said the government, through its National Transformation Programme (NTP) initiative, had managed to position the country on the right trajectory.
"It has been my stand since day one when I took over as prime minister, that this government must move forward to continue building a resilient, sustainable and
inclusive economy for the people," he said.
"Through the NTP, the government has been successful in crafting Malaysia's economic strategy.
"As I said a few weeks ago, we can say with certainty that our transformation plan is working," he said in his speech at the launch of the NTP 2015 Annual Report at Angkasapuri here yesterday.
Najib highlighted the major signs that the NTP had managed to achieve its target successfully, since its 70-month implementation beginning 2010.
He said the nation's gross domestic product had recorded an average of 5.6% growth since 2010 despite the global economic uncertainties.
"We have to be proud of our growth achievement as many countries in the region, as well as others globally, were unable to reach the growth that we have achieved," he said.
"With the 5.6% average rate, we can say that Malaysia's economy is in a healthy state," he added.
Najib also pointed out that the government has managed to reduce its fiscal deficit, from 6.7% in 2009 to 3.2% in 2015.
On Malaysia's gross national income per capita, Najib said it had increased by 30% in 2015 to more than RM36,000, as opposed to only around RM28,000 in 2010.
The country also recorded a trade surplus for 220 consecutive months since November 1997, he said.
"Since 2010, we have maintained our performance under the NTP. In February 2016 alone, our exports surplus was at RM7.5 billion," he said.
"Based on the facts and figures, no party can deny that Malaysia's economy and the rakyat's socio-economy are in good shape," he added.
Najib also warned groups trying to seek his removal through unconstitutional means like declarations and referendums.
He reminded this group that Malaysia is a sovereign country with its own set of laws.
"We cannot simply do things as we please, by calling on the rakyat to take action beyond the boundaries of the law, the rule of law and what is enshrined in the Constitution," he said.