- ETP Different From Previous Development Plans, Says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today stressed that the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP)is different from development plans previously implemented.

"What we are doing now has previously not been attempted. There are six distinguishing factors between the ETP and whatever previous plans," he said at the launch of the ETP Roadmap here Monday.

The first factor, he said, is that the ETP is a programme and not a plan.

Najib said the significant difference in the ETP is that it is a programme containing specific projects and specific action with a timeline, project owner and a measure of performance.

The programme has 131 Entry Point Projects (EPP), 12 reporting labs and 60 business opportunities, all aimed at creating 3.3 million additional workers.

Secondly, the ETP he added, is based on Gross National Income (GNI) and provides a clear direction.

He also explained that the aim of the government is to achieve a GNI per capita of US$15,000 in 2020.

In the 10 years to come, 131 EPPs and 60 business opportunities will respectively spur the additional GNI of US$138 billion and US$112 billion.

When combined with the organic growth from the National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs)and non-NKEA, the total GNI in 2020 is estimated to reach US$523 billion.

Thirdly, Najib said, the ETP is jointly formed with the private sector with an open and transparent approach, where it is also market friendly based on merit and needs.

He said to strengthen transparency and take into account the views of the people, the ETP Programme had been exhibited and discussed together with 13,000 people through Open Days, including publishing where government contracts have been given on the government website.

Fourthly, the ETP will change the role of the government from being the financier to facilitator to reduce the public sector spending, where 92 per cent of investments for the ETP is from the private sector and 72 per cent will be contributed by domestic direct investment.

Fifthly, the ETP has the quality of being inclusive where all Malaysians will get to feel, no matter how small, the positive impact from the implementation of projects under it.

"Finally, as a whole, all 133 entry point projects will cover the entire country. A total of 68 entry point projects will benefit Sarawak and 71 for Sabah, as well as 106 for those in the rural areas.

"Generally, this is in line with the ratio of the urban and rural population in the country," Najib explained.

He also said that specifically, for those in the rural areas, the EPP is expected to create 323,596 new jobs in 2020 and this will benefit owners of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.

The Prime Minister hoped the ETP will bring benefits to the women's work force.

At present, only 3.95 million women aged between 15 to 64 are working.

"It is clear that the ETP will embrace all layers of the community. The impact of eventual development will be experienced by all Malaysians, with no one being let out of the mainstream of economic success," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Professionals behind formulation of nation's economic growth figures

KUALA LUMPUR: The government's figures on the nation's economic growth are formulated by professionals including statisticians.

Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said ideas of profesional groups were also tapped before government policies were formulated.

He said the government of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak needed views from interested parties as they were also advisers to the government.

"The wrong figures will result in wrong decisions. We received good support from statisticians but will have to educate the public on statistics," he said after launching World Statistics Day at Universiti Malaya here today.

Saifuddin said the advice from experts and professionals was proven with setting up of laboratories and formulation of the Economic Tranformation Plan (ETP).

He urged the people to nurture interest in statistics as it would help them command various fields including mathematics.

Saturday, October 9th, 2010 18:26:00

DUEL WITH MALAYSIAKINI: Anwar and Najib on supremacy

How would I put it this ugly thing, that Anwar and Najib is on a head-on collision. It is a political necessity, for both have to get to the top as soon as they can. Perak is as clear as hell. Both are drawing daggers. Nasarudin, Osman and others are pawns in their battle. Millions of dollars mentioned are just spices to make curry hotter.

Sodomy case will be for public show soon, therefore Anwar has to apply deflection. Perak is the battlefield chosen as a prelude before the sodomy case. But men succumb to seduction and pressure most of the times. As Saiful is preparing to bare it all, Nasarudin and Osman are taking earlier initiatives to hammer home some delicate points on seduction and pressure.

When popularity ratings of Abdullah and Najib is shown in some media, some of us may say, its not a duel afterall, it is a three legged reality show, Anwar, Najib and Abdullah. Who say Abdullah is as good as gone? [ Najib, Pak Lah]



Oh, leave Abdullah out please......



beritadarigunung

PERAK WITH MALAYSIAKINI: as Najib is taking over

There is diversity in Perak so wide that it lacks the uniqueness exhibited by other states such as Kelantan and Terengganu. The northern coastal part has kedah/penang influence right from Parit Buntar to Pantai Remis. Folks over there are very familiar with the Tun Mahathir's dialect. Further down, from Sitiawan to Teluk Intan, dialect is a softer Perak dialect where mike, kome, ayor are words spoken with ease. Bagan Dato area has a large pocket of third generation Jawa decendants.

2. As Sungai Perak meanders to the mountains in hulu perak, accent is the true Perak. These are towns and villages visited by previous sultans as they travel up and down to oversee or to exert some control and protection. There are royal tombs on the bank of Sungai Perak and most are situated in Parit and Bota area. Tuntungs [river terrapins] had witnessed royal voyages and burials for hundred of years.

3. Of course, the influence of Gangga Negara could have moulded the accent to its present form. Over in Beruas, people speak with a similar slang as those in Kuala Kangsar, Kati and Sitiawan. And as many would have realised, Bota has the heaviest form of Perak accent. The tagline "biar pape asal bergaye" sounds proper and correct only with Bota accent.

4. Now the issue of Najib taking over the post of Perak Umno and Barisan liason committee caught everybody by surprise [Najib takes over as Perak chairman Malaysia Star]. The crisis is definitely real and damaging. The question posed by many observers hinged on the fact that Tajol handles opposition team poorly. Remember what our coach did when we lost against a neighboring team. He consoled and raised up the morale and enthusiasm. Perak Umno and Barisan is in exactly the same situation. For Tajol has never tasted defeat, he may justbe in a state of lost.

5. His boys and girls need assurance and morale boosting. Losing power is not an easy thing to handle. To make the matter worst, a few ADUNs failed in their bid to defend political post at division level. Dato Hamdi from Beruas or rather Pengkalan Bharu is an example. It is like a double blow. Their existence is uprooted.

6. But somehow Nizar handles newly found power properly. Element of humbleness is flowing and spreading. Hadi in Terengganu had failed years ago, and it will not be repeated. Kedah and Perak to my opinion play the tempo right and proper.

7. At the end of the day, Umno has to sit back and scrutinize issues other than projects and development. That is image building! Najib may share his wisdom and sense of direction with a losing team to boost up their morale as what coach of a losing school team will do. Arent we all schoolboys/girls before?


Time will heal.



beritadarigunung

DEVELOPMENT WITH MALAYSIAKINI: the east coast of malaysia

Even if we truely believe in quantumn leap, a sustainable development is what any country need. Things should not go beyond the brim. People will be the core parameter within a sustainable development. In malaysiakini, lets read what najib has to say as far developing the east coast is concerned.

2. It is not all about pouring money and building things. The most important thing is to develop human capital to bring about and take part in a sustainable development.

Government sincere
in wanting to develop
East Coast
by saodah elias

The Federal Government is sincere in wanting to see Terengganu and other east coast states develop as fast as those in the west coast.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak said in the case of Terengganu, the state and federal governments already have a vision on how the state was to be developed.

The vision would be systematically implemented, he added.

He said the Federal Government had already agreed in principle to a proposal to set up the Terengganu Investment Authority, an idea mooted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agung Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin recently.

“We have already agreed in principle to the proposal and are awaiting the working paper that is being prepared by the state government.

“The proposed new authority would ensure that the economy of the state, and thus the livelihood of the people of Terengganu, will always be assured even when the oil royalty is is no longer available,” he said at the excellence award ceremony for Kuala Terengganu City Council here on Tuesday.

The new authority, he said, would receive RM10bil for the purpose of investing either in local or overseas markets.

“It will be run by professionals and will not involve any politician,” said Najib, adding that he was confident that the authority would further boost the state economy to new heights. [ ‘Govt sincere in wanting to develop east coast’ Malaysia Star ]

beritadarigunung

UMNO WITH MALAYSIAKINI: extreme policies

I suppose the fact that business is thriving in Malaysia, and every household has food and every child goes to school must be something to do with fair and sensible government policies. To share with Malaysiakini what is meant by extreme policies is something we have not come across during our lifetime, not even in Nizar, Ngeh and Nga's

2. When Najib find it necessary to mention extreme policies, then it is best to read further. Some time later, we shall explore what is extremism.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak promised non-Malay communities that Umno would never support nor implement extreme policies.

“That is my pledge. I always believe in negotiation to resolve problems. Please do not act outside of the existing channels as every problem can be resolved through negotiations.

“Please do not allow two or three incidents that have been blown out of proportion to undo all the years of close cooperation that have existed between us,” he said at a dinner with Indian communities Monday night.

Pointing to the incident where a temple in Shah Alam was destroyed in 2007, Najib said the matter had been politicised by certain people.

He promised that the government would not destroy any temple in future and would discuss with all local councils to resolve issues involving illegal temples.

“If we are patient we can build a beautiful Malaysia brick by brick where we can have a fair share every opportunity and wealth,” he added.

Najib also urged the Indian community not to be misled by the opposition which had came together to form the loose alliance in Pakatan Rakyat.

“In Barisan, we subscribe to genuine cooperation as we share the same vision and philosophy, unlike PKR which does not even share a common symbol, let alone a common policy,” he added. Umno will never implement extreme policies: Najib Malaysia Star.

beritadarigunung

Live TV interviews with Najib and Dr Mahathir next week

A former prime minister and a future prime minister will both be interacting with the public on live television next week. Retired premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PM-in-waiting Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be appearing in separate sessions on Aljazeera's Riz Khan Show next week, to be aired on Astro's Channel 513.

Najib's session will be aired at 10pm on Monday while Dr Mahathir will appear at the same time on Thursday.

Their appearances are part of a series of live interviews lined up, focusing on the future of Malaysia and the region as a whole.

Viewers can call the live show at +12022752360, or email their questions to riz@aljazeera.net.
Alternately, they can also watch the shows on livestation.com and enter the chatroom to participate in the discussions.

Live TV interviews with Najib and Dr Mahathir next week
New Straits Times, Malaysia

Najib Comes Away From Apec With Substantive Results

News commentary by Mikhail Raj Abdullah

LIMA (Peru), Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razaks maiden participation at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit was fruitful as he came away with substantive benefits for Malaysia and the region.

For starters, he got Apec leaders to agree to Kuala Lumpurs call for economies to coordinate their respective fiscal stimulus packages in the form of expansionary budget.

The keyword here was spending even in a crisis, to haul the economy out of recession, which showed that Malaysia's experience in extricating itself out of the 1997/98 crisis was not lost on Apec even after a decade.

Then Najib told the leaders about Malaysia's proposal for a naval peacekeeping force to combat piracy in the high seas, especially in the Gulf of Eden, as a concrete step to combat the menace.

This was a significant step forward in crystallising Apec's call in encouraging further concerted efforts to fight against piracy as opposed to verbal statements which only emboldened the pirates.

Wasting no time, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim phoned US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who was also in town for Apec with outgoing US President George Bush.

The result: in the next two to three weeks, the United Nations Security Council will discuss Malaysia's proposal for such a force, which will go a long way towards securing seaborne trade among regional economies.

It can become the maritime version of the land-based peace-keeping operations which has been implemented by the United Nations all this time.

Apec accounts for about 55 percent of the world's gross domestic product (GDP) and 49 percent of global trade.

Its 21 members are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.

What was encouraging at this year's Apec was that it clearly reflected the high commitment among leaders towards efforts in overcoming the world financial crisis with the leaders being open and positive.

A statement read out by host and Peruvian President Alan Garcia that Apec could overcome the crisis in a period of 18 months was, however, quickly disputed by some leaders.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined his Australian counterpart Kevin Ruud to pour cold water over the "timeline", especially when many know that the worse is yet to come.

Najib said if Apec and non-Apec economies initiate a coordinated global response and members strive towards greater regional economic integration (REI), perhaps then, the global economy will show signs of recovery.

Under the broad heading of REI, Apec leaders commended the proposed Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area (FTAAP), but Malaysia expressed reservations saying it must not dilute the Asean's quest in drawing up free trade agreements with other economies.

"There should be a comprehensive study first to indicate the real benefits from the FTAAP before we can get all countries to move in that direction," Najib said.

"If we move too fast, it could exacerbate the imbalance among countries in the region and possibly dilute the initiatives currently undertaken by Asean such as negotiating free trade agreements," he said.

"We are not against it, its is just a question of timing and moving at a pace we are comfortable with," he added.

As for the Doha Round of global trade talks under the World Trade Organisation, there were the usual pronouncements calling for a successful conclusion but this time there was a sense of urgency.

International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said a quick and successful conclusion of the Doha Round could cushion the impact of economic crisis on member economies.

Leaders tasked officials to get the talks going and get it concluded by next month, but whether this can happen in just weeks after having failed for years now is left to be seen.

With Singapore hosting next year's summit, it wil be anybody's guess as to the state of the Asia-Pacific economy.

What is clear is that single-handedly, countries can do little, but by coming together sincerely along with non-Apec economies there is a good chance -- as Najib put it -- for the world to be back on track.

With economies slipping into recession like nine pins, only a global response premised on an expansionary budget can stimulate global and regional businesses.

Only this will restore confidence in member economies.

"The fiscal stimulus must be calculated on a global basis as this is necessary to save the world from sliding into recession," he said.

-- BERNAMA


Najib Comes Away From Apec With Substantive Results
Bernama, Malaysia

Najib: We will take steps to end money politics

By : Mustapha Kamil and Sajahan Abdul Waheed

LIMA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak said money politics in Umno cannot be eradicated overnight but the party will come up with measures to stop the menace.

Speaking after attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meeting here on Sunday, the deputy prime minister and Umno deputy president said vote-buying in the party had to be fought with commitment and political will.

He was responding to criticism, including by former prime miniser Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who said even Najib would find it difficult to stop money politics in Umno when the latter became prime minister.

Najib said: "During Tun's time, he did introduce steps to eradicate money politics in Umno. It is not easy but there must be the will and commitment to do so.

"The fight against money politics must be comprehensive and it is a process that will involve time."
In Kuala Lumpur, Umno disciplinary board chairman Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen Tengku Ismail said proposals for additional initiatives to curb corruption in the run-up to the March elections were being studied.

He said these included cooperation with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).

"We have to find new ways to reduce money politics in the party. We cannot allow this disease to spread as it would have negative implications on the party."

However, he declined to elaborate on the measures.

The disciplinary board was established when Dr Mahathir was party president. In 2000, Umno held an extraordinary meeting to discuss amendments to its constitution.

These included the formation of the disciplinary board. Tengku Rithaudeen was appointed its first chairman in 2001.

The board, however, has had little effect on the reportedly widespread buying of votes at Umno elections.

Tengku Rithaudeen said Umno members had to be continually educated on the ills of money politics.

"Some members take it lightly and do not see the need to lodge reports. These are the things which we must correct."

On cooperation with the ACA, Tengku Rithaudeen said a few meetings had been held.

"Things are progressing smoothly. We are looking into how the disciplinary board and ACA can work together to overcome money politics."

Earlier this month, he met ACA investigations director Datuk Shukri Abdull about battling corruption in the party.

Meanwhile, sources said some divisional leaders who were elected during the divisional meeting recently were expected to be called up by the board.

They are said to have corruptly secured their positions during the divisional meetings which began on Oct 9.

As of Friday, the board has received 837 complaints, including reports of money politics.

So far, 181 cases have been investigated, 31 of which were called to show cause and 18 people found guilty.




Najib: We will take steps to end money politics
New Straits Times, Malaysia

Najib: Don’t expect too much

By WONG SAI WAN

The people should not expect the pump prices to be constantly reduced just because crude oil prices have fallen below US$50 per barrel.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Government would stick to its planned review of pump prices every two weeks as this offered some sort of stability.

“If we keep cutting the pump prices whenever crude oil prices fall then we will have to also increase the pump prices every time there is an increase in the international market.

“Oil prices cannot stay so low for long. Sooner or later it will increase. If we cut the prices too much, we will have to increase it even more and this will affect the people,” Najib told Malaysian reporters after attending Friday prayers at the Islamic centre here.

VIP guests: Najib (second from right) and International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin being greeted by chairman of the Islamic Association of Peru Dr Ing Bass M Bassiouny (left) at the Islamic centre in Lima Saturday. — Bernama

Asked whether the Government would allow pump prices to float and be determined by the open market, Najib, who is the Finance Minister, said most petrol pump operators would find it difficult to cope with daily or weekly fluctuation of prices.

He said further cuts on pump prices would also act as a disincentive for Malaysia to seek alternative energy sources.

He also acknowledged that the falling oil prices would affect Petronas which would in turn affect the Government coffers but stressed the Government could maintain its revenue for this and next year.

On the Apec Summit, which starts today, Najib said the global financial crisis looks set to dominate the two days of talks involving leaders of the 21-member economies.

Najib is also to attend the Apec Business Council luncheon together with other leaders and the private sector has invited him to speak about Malaysia’s experience from the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Asked to compare the two, Najib said that the present one was worse because it affected more countries, especially the big consumer countries like the United States and European nations.

He said the fiscal measures taken by the affected countries did not seem to have taken off as quickly as they should.

Najib: Don’t expect too much
Malaysia Star, Malaysia

Razak Baginda on truth, lies and blogs

Maria J.Dass

Three weeks after he was freed of abetment to murder of his Mongolian lover in a long and sensational trial, political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda today broke his silence to hit out at bloggers who turned lies and assumptions into truth, so much so that the truth became irrelevant.

"I was shocked at the extent my case had been wildly exaggerated and that throughout his two years of imprisonment, lies and baseless assumptions have become the basis for truth, so much so the truth had become irrelevant and was lost in translation," he told a packed press conference at Hotel Maya here.

"While some have told me to say nothing, I feel if I do not be brave and try to turn the tide in order to tell the truth, then I will be merely turning a blind eye and allow the liars to prevail."

He said after his release on Oct 31, he gave a statement to the police regarding private investigator P. Balasubramaniam’s first statutory declaration which had implicated Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.

The investigator, who has gone into hiding, had withdrawn his allegations in a second statutory declaration a day later.

“I told them what I told you all today, that Najib did not know or has met the deceased (Altantuya Shaariibuu)," said Abdul Razak:

“I implore all of you and the public to stop spreading lies about Datuk Seri Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor as I know they have never met the deceased Altantuya.”

Saying that he had not been in contact with Najib since his release, Abdul Razak described his relationship with Najib as an official one and that he (Najib) was a friend whom he had personal contact with.

Asked about what he thought of Najib becoming the next Prime Minister, he said: “He (Najib) is a well read person and well in tune with what is going on in the world, and in terms of intellectual and experience, he will make a good Prime Minister.”

Asked if he would continue rendering his services as a political analyst to Najib when the latter becomes Prime Minister, Abdul Razak said: “I’m quite happy with my freedom at the moment and don’t want to be tied up with any appointment whatsoever...not that it’s coming.”

Abdul Razak also touched on several other matters:

> On blogs:

People should start questioning the validity of the information they receive, especially from blogs.

We are supposed to be a knowledge-based society and a thinking people but now one or two bloggers form an opinion, and that becomes public opinion.

Bloggers could even be used as tools by enemies of the state to erode confidence. Then we are talking about something more sinister.

Most bloggers write based on hearsay and not based on what they themselves have seen or heard. This is just a phase that develop countries had gone through once and after some time the opinion of bloggers will have little effect.

I expect my statement to be twisted as well. But this is the truth and if anyone wants to twist and turn, then all I can say is that I have said my piece and to me this is the truth. Quoting Shakespeare, he said: “A lie is halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on.”

> No link between the murder case and the Scorpene and Agosta submarine deal
There are no linkages to this whatsoever. I’m appalled by the extent of lies, but the time frame between the striking of the deal and when I met Altantuya will explain this. The arms deal was signed in June 2002, I met the deceased on Nov 2004; so I fail to see the connection.

> On claims of interference from the top
Referred to SMS exchanges between the first lawyer representing him (Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah) and Najib, he said: “Let me just remind you that I was charged, imprisoned, waited for my trial, court started and went on for 151 days, I was separated from my family, I went through all that! So how can there be any interference if I went through all that, God Almighty! Come on!”

> On public reaction to his release
To my surprise a lot of people came up to me and wished me the best- total strangers- came to say that they were happy that I had been released. I was pleasantly surprised because I thought I was going to be frowned upon, going to be a leper, that everyone will shy away from me.

> What next?
I will be going to the United Kingdom (UK) to complete my doctorate studies. I’m going back to UK for a simple reason. Not many of you know this. I was a student at Oxford and on Sept 28, 2006, two weeks before I got arrested, I submitted a doctoral dissertation to Oxford having studied at Trinity College Oxford for a number of years.

The university put my dissertation on hold and now that I have been released, I have been informed by the university that I can be examined, so I’m now going back to be examined- and Insya Allah – I can get my doctorate by early next year. I am not running away. I wil be back, unless I can land myself a cushy job like prime minister over there.

> On his ordeal
It is difficult for anyone to understand what I have gone through. When you are down you are basically alone, this is a lesson to me and I managed to get through this with the support of my family and God.

He attributed his several outbursts in court to frustrations over the delays in the trial and issues that he had to go through.

It was the most stressful, anxious and sad period of my life. The 22 months I spent in jail gave me a chance to reflect on life.

It is perhaps human nature that when someone is in trouble, people shy away. Prior to my imprisonment, during the Hari Raya season, I would receive hundreds of cards but for the last two years I received a total of not more than 20.

My family, my close friends, my lawyers and my books have all added to my escape, for my mind was never incarcerated. To me this was my ‘great escape'.

The prison authorities demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and I thank my fellow inmates for their kindness.

> On his relationship with Altantuya
The person has died; let the person rest in peace. I would like to emphasise that I did not commit any offence in respect of the deceased, nevertheless I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased for their loss.

source: Razak Baginda on truth, lies and blogs
The Sun Daily, Malaysia

other related stories
1 Najib, wife never met Mongolian Altantuya: Razak Baginda Malaysia Star
2 Najib and Rosmah never met Altantuya, says Razak Baginda New Straits Times
3 Ex-aide seeks to exonerate Malaysia deputy premier's name GulfNews
4 NAJIB,WIFE NEVER MET MONGOLIAN ALTANTUNYA : RAZAK BAGINDA
Malaysia Star, Malaysia
5 Prosecution won’t appeal against Razak’s acquittal
Malaysia Star, Malaysia
6 I am innocent
The Malaysian Insider, Malaysia

Re-Position Islamic Banking & Finance, Says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- The Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today outlined general work plans to position and re-position Islamic banking and the finance industry to enable it to fully exploit the potential market of one billion Muslims worldwide.

Currently, although the Islamic finance industry is the fastest growing segment in international financial services, it is still too small compared with the size of the potential market, he said.

"A key impediment to the growth of Islamic finance is the lack of awareness among the public on Islamic alternative modes of banking,insurance and investments.

"The industry must continuously engage and educate the general public in order to address the problem," he added.

Islamic finance, he said also needs further research and study with discourses carried out at all levels and should involve regulators, practitioners as well as academicians.

"Investment in human capital must further be improved. The lack of knowledge in Islamic finance is strongly related to the shortage of qualified experts.

"Hence, it has affected the innovation of new products and services in the country," he said in his keynote address at the Kuala Lumpur Islamic Finance Forum 2008.

"There is also an urgent need to create greater awareness on Islamic finance among market participants through research, education and training," he highlighted.

He said despite the divergence of Shariah rulings, its should not be an impediment, as long as they are backed by sound arguments and recognised legal methodologies.

"Any particular area of divergence that is of serious concern should be revisited and reviewed in order to come up with better and more acceptable solutions," said Najib, who is also the Finance Minister.

He also said that the legal and regulatory framework should be resilient and facilitative.

"Dispute resolution mechanisms should also be more accommodative to the application of Islamic legal rules and methods in order to avoid embarrassment to Islamic banking cases as a result of incoherent and anomalous legal judgements," he stated.

Najib said other related regulations and supervision should also be equally and adequately addressed so as to bring the Islamic banks and financial institutions at par with international standards.

To meet these challenges, he said new supervisory and regulatory procedures must be developed and modifications made to the existing structures or procedures.

"However, since the banking sector is highly regulated, any modification must be made with extreme care as the failure of an Islamic bank could undermine depositor and investor confidence, leading to a crisis in the whole financial system, just like what we see happening currently in the conventional market," he warned.

On the outlook, he said the Islamic banking industry is forecast to grow at a rate of at least 20 percent between now and 2012, with more than US$600 billion held or managed by Islamic institutions and the figure is expected to grow to US$1 trillion over the next couple of years.

According to Najib, growth has also been seen in the other major components of the Islamic financial system such as Islamic mutual funds estimated to be about US$300 billion, while global takaful or Shariah compliant insurance contributions are estimated to be about US$5 billion and expected to triple by the end of the decade.

-- BERNAMA

Umno must rebuild image, says Najib

IPOH: Datuk Seri Najib Razak wants Umno members to prioritise the party's struggles if they want the party to be strong again.

"We need to return to our original struggle. The party is more important than personal interests," he said when opening the Umno Veterans' second general assembly here last night.

The Umno deputy president said for Umno to restore its might, it must rebuild its image.

"There's no point in winning the divisional top posts but lose the parliamentary and state seats.

"Our struggle for the party must be honest and sincere."
In this context, he called on members to emulate Umno veterans' spirit of putting the party above personal interests.

"In the old days, Umno members were willing to make sacrifice for the party while personal interests were set aside.

"There was no such thing as salam kosong (empty greetings) or salam berisi (filled greetings).

"There was only salam perjuangan (greetings for party's struggle)," he said to applause from the more than 200 delegates present.

Najib, who is deputy prime minster, said Umno members of the early days would sacrifice their energy and possessions for the party's struggle, and such noble values must be put into practice by the present generation for the continuity of the party's struggle.

Najib said the role of Umno veterans should not be sidelined and they should never be regarded as a spent force.

Present were the chairman of Umno Malaysia Veterans Tan Sri Tajudin Ali and party vice-presidents Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam. -- Bernama

Najib: Continuation Of Policy Depends On Report

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said although more pupils chose to answer science and maths in English in UPSR, the government would wait for the evaluation report from the education ministry before deciding whether it would continue to implement the PPSMI (teaching science and mathematics in English) policy.

Najib added that the government was currently studying the matter, and would not give any comment before receiving the report from the ministry.

UPSR results showed that more pupils answered science and maths in English compared to 2007.

On the other hand, Najib said the loosening of the bumiputra equity requirement for companies seeking a listing on Bursa Malaysia would not create confusion because it helped implement the government policies.

He said all companies must conform to the existing procedures for listing, but if bumiputra allocation was not fully subscribed by bumiputra institutions or retail investors, the balance equity could be offered to the general public.

Upon completion of this process, companies will then be deemed to have complied with the bumiputra equity requirements.

When asked whether the bumiputra equity requirement could not help improve the country's competitiveness, he said the requirement had been a government policy and the government had to ensure its effective implementation. (Translated by LEE MENG FUN/Sin Chew Daily)

Anwar Ibrahim’s obsession with Najib the ‘Dictator’ may be good for the nation

by: Azmi Anshar
DEWAN RAKYAT Nov 12, 2008

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is excruciatingly obsessed with Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the pretender Prime Minister-in-waiting keeping antagonistic tabs on the genuine Prime Minister-designate. After guzzling the Umno divisional election nominations to win the party presidency uncontested, Najib is now forced to endure screaming volleys of epithets, the latest that he will foster a dictatorial regime once he takes office.

Now who would want to accuse Najib of such despicable foreboding even before he had a chance to sniff the real powers of Premiership, if not from Anwar, who lashed out at Najib and complained that if he “comes into the picture, everything will be clamped down.” Addressing the media in Parliament yesterday and in his habitually haranguing tone, Anwar went ballistic after he was told that the Finance Minister will roll out the RM7 billion stimulus package announced in the Dewan Rakyat last week.

The stimulus plan, whether it was not approved in Parliament or not tabled, has been made into a source of discomfort for the Opposition leader, compelling him to even lambast mainstream newspapers for covering-up this little known fact to protect Najib. “This is what we mean by arrogance of power…they control everything, dictate terms and monopolise the news and they can get away literally with murder,” he rattled away his disgust at the perceived administration that will come under Najib.

While Anwar ranted that the stimulus package cannot be considered as “approved policy”, Najib duly won approval from the Speaker to move his package after Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia ruled that it was “not an additional budget to Budget 2009 but a supplementary measure” to tackle the global economic meltdown. An early 2009 start for the stimulus package to move on the ground is projected but Anwar insisted that it was not done according to procedures. “If he says it will be disbursed in January, how do you disburse funds that have not been approved by Parliament? So I do not know from where, maybe from his savings,” Anwar deadpanned.

Anwar’s rebuke comes in the stream of critics refusing to cut any slack for Najib now while he earns breaks in little doses is typical political harassment. But Najib as a dictator? Crackpot or tin-pot? That’ll be a scream. The only elected dictator by popular vote, in Umno and in the general election. Of course, once in power in March, Najib can for laughs emulate a malevolent variety of styles from infamous dictators – Castro, Amin, Lenin, Stalin, Mao and Pinochet. If he is able to do so in the first place. What about duplicating Kaunda, Piłsudski, Antonescu, Horthy, Torrijos and Atatürk, the Turk who was also democratically elected like Najib? Hugo Chavez has been molested by the Western media as a raving mad dictator. Perhaps his is a more personable character that Najib should imitate?

Maybe Anwar confused Najib for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who during his 22 years in the PM’s office had brooked his fair share of unflattering epithets, chief among them “dictator”, and chief among his detractors was Anwar. After his sacking from Government and during his correction years, Anwar invested time, effort, money and legal fees to unleash one railing rhetoric after another against Dr Mahathir that in some measure, succeeded in blackening the ex-PM’s image but his reputation, especially in Japan and African and Middle East nations remain sterling.

A dictator in the real sense Dr Mahathir was not, at least not in the realm of the abovementioned gallery of villainy, but a benevolent autocrat he certainly was, marshalling and goading the Malaysian masses into great self-confidence and self-pride to take on the world while whipping everyone at home – the rogues, the whiners, the desperados, the beggars, the backstabbers, the recalcitrants, and the ingratiaters – into fighting shape. Without Dr Mahathir’s prying, Malaysian politics would have degenerated into back-alley catfights of political tribalism dominated by ego-driven overlords and self-styled warlords. He still did not full succeed. If because of these aspects that deemed Dr Mahathir as a dictator, he’d probably take it with a wholesome chuckle.

It would seem that the Opposition Leader and MP for Permatang Pauh love playing the hyperbole game, perhaps a one-upmanship competition with Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) who has long perfected the hysterics of such phraseology to such sneering sound bytes. Remember Kit’s extravagant overstatement, “richest unemployed man in the country”?

Not the first time that Najib had to suffer accursed accusations that focal-pointed him under the scorching light of perceived scandals. Now he has to deflect another of Anwar’s fulminating fusillade, only because he refused to give the man the time and day to butt into his laying out of the stimulus package in the House. Is that any way to treat the future leader of Malaysia by calling him names? Of course. It is the Anwar way.

However, lest someone accuses Anwar of disparaging Najib mindlessly, there is method in his madness. The fulgent Anwar, his star bobbing under the rushing air of his blowhard ways, has made it his mission to destabilise a resurgent BN under the soon-to-be Najib administration. Anwar wants Najib’s rule to be entangled in political crises and acrid limbo. That’s the idea in the concerted attacks against Najib because a resurgent BN is very bad news to Anwar’s ambitions to make a dash for a quick power grab.

Anwar’s obsession with demonising Najib is urgent. For starters, it has dawned on some enlightened ones within the Opposition that Anwar can’t wrest the Federal Government in a legitimate battle in the polls. Even the DAP is queasy with Anwar’s insistence that he can form the next Federal Government early next month on the spine of 30-odd BN defectors, starting with the two SAPP crossovers.

If critics had accused the BN of being in denial after the demoralising March general election losses, that BN lost many seats due to voters’ abandonment of BN policies, then the same critics should also tell off Pakatan Rakyat that their haloed political tsunami was not won on the backs of some seminal Opposition manifesto or clever politicking, as Kit loves to parrot, but the disillusionment of legions of Umno members and pro-Umno voters who renounced their party leadership, jumped off the cliff like the mythical lemmings and loathingly gave their votes to the likes of the PKR, DAP and Pas, or whichever party was conveniently available at the poll stations.

This may sound condescending to the Opposition but it could have easily been Pakatan Rempit, no disrespect to these roguish road warriors, and they too would have won the five states (six if you count the parliament seats in Kuala Lumpur) as the Opposition gladly milked the dissatisfaction, resentment and hatred of the Establishment in that moment of balloting anarchy.

However, these lemmings did not swim themselves to death hurtling down the cliff. They were merely in purgatory and could as well throw up in embarrassment if they were labelled as staunch Opposition believers. Reincarnated, the lemmings are now scaling back the cliff and returning to the warm, protective pouch of their party of choice, all because of the willingness of the Establishment that sparked the mass surrenders to agree to a peaceful power transition that hoists Najib up to the highest orbit of the political food chain.

But let’s backtrack to Anwar’s dictatorial doozie: there could be some traction here. It doesn’t seem that bad an idea that Najib assumes a tad of dictatorship in the realm of Dr Mahathir’s autocratic style. Malaysians, whether they like to admit it or not, need this kind of firm father figure discipline, seeing how badly behaved most of us are. We get wrecked into 6,000-odd fatal accidents annually; we refuse to follow traffic rules or switch our cell phones in theatres, or behave decently in Parliament, what with vicious and vulgar name-calling, hoots and jeers being the order of some days.

Bung giving and taking to win votes, favours and clemency is a burgeoning black market business while crime rates, gang violence and disappearing children are getting worrisome all the time. Yes, any dictator, Najib included, who can beat, lash, castigate, chastise, flog, thrash and punish abhorrent criminality appropriated by malfeasant Malaysians is most welcomed. The day Malaysians are not caught committing such transgressions is the day petrol sells for RM1 a litre, public toilets are voluntarily flushed and litter is actually dumped inside the relevant bins.

Najib: Members free to decide on leader

KUALA LUMPUR:

Wanita Umno is free to decide on its leadership, party deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.

“I respect their decision and whatever it is, I am sure they have considered all factors.

“I don’t interfere. They came up with the decision and who am I to say otherwise,” he said after launching the National Sports Convention at the Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.

Asked about possible dissent against the transition plan, which was reaffirmed by the Wanita executive council on Monday, Najib said it was normal to expect as much.

“Any decision is sure to spark different opinions. Politics is never 100 per cent (certain).
“Whatever we do, there will be conflicting points of view but we must find the best solutions for specific situations.”

Wanita Umno endorsed the transition plan after a heated four-hour meeting at the party’s headquarters here on Monday. Current head Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz will hand over the post to her deputy Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil in June.


source: Najib: Members free to decide on leader
New Straits Times, Malaysia

Enter Najib, with baggage

Nov 6th 2008 | BANGKOK
From The Economist print edition

A new leader mired in accusations

ONE could certainly say that Najib Razak was born to be Malaysian prime minister. He is the son of Abdul Razak, the second man to hold that job following independence from Britain, and the nephew of his successor, Hussein Onn. Elected to parliament aged 23, on his father’s death, he rose to become deputy to the present prime minister, Abdullah Badawi. However, Mr Najib, expected within months to become the country’s sixth post-independence leader, will enter under a cloud of allegations, including ones linking him to a murder case, all of which he categorically denies. But some Malaysians will be wondering if he is a fit person to lead them.

BloombergThe quizzical Mr Najib

Facing a revitalised opposition, in an election earlier this year the governing coalition, led by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), lost the two-thirds majority it needs to change the constitution. Since then, the knives have been out for Mr Badawi. Despite his efforts to cling on he is being forced to quit next March. The contest to succeed him as party president, and thus prime minister, at first promised to be lively. But party officials, fearful of the challenge from the opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim (a former UMNO deputy leader), chose to hang together rather than hang separately. By November 2nd Mr Najib had won enough nominations to block his only rival, Razaleigh Hamzah, a former finance minister, from getting on the ballot-paper.

Like Mr Badawi before him, Mr Najib comes to the job promising reforms, including of the system of preference for members of the ethnic-Malay majority for state contracts and jobs. Mr Badawi achieved little, though he allowed a bit more freedom of expression than had his predecessor, Mahathir Mohamad. Expectations for Mr Najib are lower still. It is possible, notes Edmund Gomez, a political scientist, that he will use the worsening economic outlook as a pretext for reverting to Mahathir-style repression.

Mr Anwar has failed to carry out his threat to topple the government through a mass defection of parliamentarians. Even so, there is a palpable fin de régime air around UMNO. Mr Badawi, Mr Mahathir and other leaders are publicly lamenting how corruption and cronyism are rife in the party. But his opponents say Mr Najib is hardly the man to restore confidence. In the latest scandal to which they are linking him, the defence ministry (which he oversaw until recently) has deferred a big order for helicopters following questions about their high price. A parliamentary committee this week cleared the government of wrongdoing, but admitted not investigating whether “commissions” were paid.

In an earlier case, a company the opposition claimed was linked to Razak Baginda, an adviser to Mr Najib, was paid juicy fees for services provided over a contract for the purchase of French submarines. A Mongolian woman, said to have worked as a translator in the negotiations, was shot dead and her corpse destroyed with explosives in 2006. Mr Razak was put on trial over her killing, along with two policemen. The case has dragged on for months and seen various odd goings-on, including changes of judge, prosecutors and defence lawyers at the start of the trial. A private detective signed a statutory declaration implicating Mr Najib, retracted it the next day, saying it had been made under duress. Calls by the victim’s family for Mr Najib to testify were rejected. On October 31st the judge ruled that the prosecution had failed to make a prima facie case against Mr Razak.

The policemen’s trial will continue. A blogger who linked Mr Najib's wife to the case is on trial for criminal libel. None of this, however, seems likely to interfere with Mr Najib’s accession to the prime minister’s job. A bigger threat may yet emerge from the resurgent opposition and Mr Anwar, who nurtures a long-thwarted ambition to take the job himself.

Najib wins Umno presidency unopposed after securing 134 nominations

2008/11/02

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today won the Umno presidency unopposed after securing 134 nominations for the post.

With only 57 nominations available, no one else can garner the 58 nominations necessary to qualify to contest the presidency.

Najib, who is Umno deputy president and the deputy prime minister, will be officially declared as the new Umno president at the party general assembly scheduled for March 24 to 28 next year.

Najib wins Umno presidency unopposed after securing 134 nominations
New Straits Times, Malaysia

other related stories:


Najib secures UMNO presidency in nomination contest
Xinhua, China
Malaysian No. 2 leader wins top ruling party post International Herald Tribune
Malaysia's No. 2 leader close to clinching top job Jakarta Post
Malaysian PM to step down Sydney Morning Herald
Najib wins Umno president post uncontested Malaysia Star

Najib condemns those using threats to gain support

By JANE RITIKOS, LOH FOON FONG, TEH ENG HOCK, LESTER KONG AND YUEN MEIKENG

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri najib Tun Razak has condemned those who resort to threats in getting people to support certain candidates for the Umno party elections.

He said such acts were undesirable culture for Umno and should not happen.

“I don’t know who sent such SMSes but the act of sending threats including through SMS is bringing into Umno a bad culture, which should not be done,” he said in response to Umno supreme council member and Johor Baru division chief Datuk Shahrir Samad’s claim that he received SMS threats instructing his division to nominate two candidates vying for top posts.

Najib, who was at the MIC Deepavali open house on Monday, also reminded all members that Umno practises healthy democracy and such actions are not democratic.

Supreme council member Datuk Seri Rais Yatim said Umno should consider roping in the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) and other relevant authorities to help curb unhealthy practices during the party elections such as money politics.

He said the leadership needed to act fast to keep in check the culture of threatening others and money politics before this destroys the party.

source:Najib condemns those using threats to gain support Malaysia Star

BERITADARIGUNUNG: Ada dua kaedah yang digunakan bersilih ganti untuk menguruskan pekerja. Pertama ganjaran, kedua ialah reprimand. Kedua-duanya perlu. Dalam political marketing pula, threat berjaya mewujudkan fear. Tun Mahathir sering melakar senario fear untuk mengajak rakyat bersatu dan bekerja keras. Kaedah itu tidak sesuai pada setengah orang tetapi harus diakui, ia berjaya mengukuhkan kepercayaan dan komitmen dalam organisasi tertentu. Soalnya, adakah kaedah ugutan atau threat itu salah dari segi undang-undang?

Najib Goes Into Fish Breeding To Set Example

PEKAN, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is into fish breeding. The deputy prime minister is breeding catfish to set an example for the people to diversify economic activities in the face of the global financial crisis.

He said today he had released 14,000 catfish fry into eight tanks in the compound of his residence here.

"Anyone who owns land should not sell the property but utilise it for some agriculture and aquaculture activity to generate income," he said at the Aidilfitri reception of the Pekan Area Farmers Organisation, here.

Najib advised the people to diversify economic activities, especially in the agriculture and aquaculture sectors, to ensure a more secure future for themselves.

He said that in this way they could increase their income, help reduce inflation and become less dependent on only one source of income.

Najib said the government's strategy of diversifying economic activities was seen as capable of lessening the impact of the global financial crisis on the country.

"God willing, we will not face any problem this year and will be able to achieve an economic growth of five per cent," he said.

-- BERNAMA