Opposition is all talk and no substance: Najib

KUALA TERENGGANU: The opposition is only capable of making defamatory and fabricated statements and unreliable in resolving issues raised by the people, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
In contrast, he said, the Barisan Nasional (BN) government had drawn up and implemented numerous solutions to assist the people, particularly with regard to the cost of living.
"Take, for example, the Jualan Sentuhan Rakyat programme which offers cheaper items to the people. We do not just hold the programme at this expo; I have instructed the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism to hold it twice a month at least, in each parliamentary constituency.
"In Budget 2018 we provide funds and benefits, as never before been done. Fishermen, smallholders, paddy farmers, 'tok imam', 'tok siak', 'tok batin' are given RM1,500 special government payment," he said while closing the Terengganu Expo 2018 here, today.
Also present at the ceremony were Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Abdul Razif Abd Rahman, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia Datuk Seri Jailani Johari.
The prime minister said a lot more had been done by the government to benefit the people such as the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project which would provide 30,000 employment opportunities.
He said the socio-economic status of the people had also improved with the rate of income reaching RM6,411 last year, compared to RM5,717 in 2016, while the hardcore poor rate continued to decline.
"Who says the state is a bankrupt state, who says the situation is getting worse under the BN government? All these are deception, lies, rubbish! We as a government are bringing the people and country towards greater achievements,” he said, pointing to the country’s 5.9% economic growth last year.
Speaking in front of thousands at the event today, Najib said the government maintained good relations with a number of world leaders for the benefit of the people.
Citing the country’s relations with Saudi Arabian King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Najib said Malaysia received additional quota for the pilgrimage, which enabled thousands to perform the haj annually, aside from the investment of US$7 billion by Saudi Aramco in Malaysia.
"Three days ago, I was informed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan that the deal with Saudi Aramco had been finalised and from March 31, the investment funds would go into our country’s account.
“The injection of US$7 billion (RM28 billion) will boost Malaysia’s economy to almost RM30 billion,” he said.
The prime minister said many more investments would be coming in, including at state level, but to ensure overall success, both levels of administration must be helmed by the same government.
Meanwhile, he said the government had set a target for Malaysia to become the first Muslim country to be listed among the best 20 countries in the world.
He said the target was achievable although the government needed some more time to draw up and implement certain programmes.
"We have the capability. Allah reminds us to put in place, people with such capability; Insyallah we will succeed,” he said to thunderous applause. — Bernama