PM stresses necessity of implementing difficult policies, calls for teamwork with private sector
Malaysia's current political stability presents an opportunity for the government to implement challenging yet essential policies for the country, said Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking at the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia's (NCCIM) 62nd Anniversary Gala Dinner on Thursday, July 25, the Prime Minister emphasised that some "unpopular policies" are necessary and crucial for ensuring the nation's success.
Anwar also urged the private sector to collaborate closely with the government, highlighting the importance of teamwork in accelerating the country's progress, particularly in economic development and attracting investments.
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Speaking at the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia's (NCCIM) 62nd Anniversary Gala Dinner on Thursday, July 25, the Prime Minister emphasised that some "unpopular policies" are necessary and crucial for ensuring the nation's success.
Anwar also urged the private sector to collaborate closely with the government, highlighting the importance of teamwork in accelerating the country's progress, particularly in economic development and attracting investments.
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar
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00:00I don't want to repeat the framework of the civil economy.
00:13Transisor gave an explanation and some new suggestions,
00:18including energy transition, digital transformation,
00:27food security, and these issues are our main focus.
00:39In other areas, the success is based on the level of support from the private sector.
00:50So, in government, we provide a framework, move as fast as possible,
00:58improve existing weaknesses,
01:02ensure that the transition is at a faster and more limited level,
01:07and listen to the views,
01:10and make adjustments where necessary so that the programs run smoothly.
01:18That is the role of the government.
01:20The role of the private sector, aside from providing a view,
01:23is to provide support and encouragement,
01:28as well as confidence, which causes investment to increase.
01:33It is true that we have seen a phenomenal growth
01:38in terms of investments, foreign and domestic,
01:45but I always emphasize the need and recognition to the efforts of our domestic partners
01:52that without the link and the ecosystem built by our domestic enterprise,
02:00it would be difficult to encourage foreign investments into Malaysia.
02:04So, your role is quite pertinent and critical to ensure the success of our economy.
02:11And I believe that with your input, which we will have to take into serious consideration,
02:17where possible, we will be incorporated.
02:20And I have studied some of your proposals for the incoming budget in October,
02:30and I'm sure some of your concerns will be addressed.
02:33Of course, I reserve the right to disagree with some,
02:38otherwise you may feel that you are much smarter than us.
02:42So, I would probably accept most of the proposal's suggestions.
02:53And again, to emphasize the need to make the adjustments required.
02:59And I've always emphasized, my cabinet colleagues would, of course, agree with me that
03:06whilst we would like to encourage the active participation of the private sector,
03:12we in the government must be able to respond, respond positively and fast,
03:19with a speed which is unprecedented.
03:21And as I have reiterated, and I would like to reiterate now,
03:25that in the post-normal times, in the times of chaos and complexity and full of contradictions,
03:35the pace, the speed is essential.
03:42Otherwise, you talk about digital transformation,
03:45but the speed is the speed of the 60s and the 70s.
03:51Like the song Sway, you can guess our age when you start appreciating such songs.
04:03Now, so it is also a challenge to the government.
04:08That's why when you mentioned the need to set up or formulate new policies,
04:17and even setting up, forming the Royal Commission, I'm sorry,
04:24Suranjaya Commission, GEEK, or TVET,
04:32it is something that, of course, we have considered, the cabinet has agreed in principle,
04:38because the new format will ensure that we conduct these new challenging activities in a different manner.
04:48And this is, of course, a challenge during post-normal times.
04:51You can't depend solely on one sector or the government sector or the private sector,
04:57but we will have to work in synergy together to be able to ensure that this programme succeeds.
05:05In some ways, yes, we have succeeded.
05:08And I thank you to Tansi Soh who have identified these areas of success.
05:15But in all humility, I must acknowledge that there are many flaws that need to be adjusted and corrected.
05:24And this is something that we in the government and in the private sector must equally accept.
05:31There are areas that the private sector seems to be rather lackadaisical and slow in making the adjustments.
05:38Similarly, the government must face the challenge in order to affect change and to propel the economy
05:49in the speed that is required to be more competitive and succeed in our policies, plans.
05:58Then we cannot proceed at the pace that we were used to before.
06:05And that's why you see in every single meeting, cabinet, post-cabinet,
06:11various deliberations with the government agencies and departments,
06:16you cannot expect us to succeed and achieve these impressive targets
06:24if we conduct the business of government and the private sector in the old obsolete ways.
06:33This is a challenge that we must recognise.
06:38And I think this series of conversations, dialogues between ministries and the private sector
06:46would certainly assist and ensure that we succeed.
06:53And I have great expectations, great hope, not only in the government services,
07:03but more so in the private sector.
07:05And I would clearly appeal for your continued support and engagement
07:12through research, through your experience, through your suggestions,
07:18how to work together as a team to make Malaysia a successful nation in this part of the world.
07:28We have the capacity, we have the resources.
07:32We have lost some time, yes, but then we should be able to climb up the ladder
07:39at a pace that has been unprecedented and at a pace that could be decisive
07:46in ensuring success for our country.
07:51This is for the future of this nation.
07:53Yes, politically it is stable, but stability is for what?
08:02Stability is not for us to be complacent or to be lulled into complacency.
08:09No, stability is for us to use the opportunity to effect change,
08:14to undertake institutional reforms, to even implement somewhat unpopular policies,
08:24but which is important to secure or to ensure the success of our country.
08:34The unpopular policies include, for example, electricity tariff,
08:39which is not too popular with some of you, or the recent diesel rationalisation,
08:49but it has to be done.
08:50We cannot assume that we can succeed if we are not able to take some tough measures
09:00that's rational economically, difficult politically,
09:05but in order to save the nation and to avoid leakages that we have seen by the billions,
09:15we cannot be able to manage our country well,
09:20and still they use the term, the nomenclature, good governance.
09:25So, we will continue, and I must thank my colleagues,
09:32their preparedness to work together as a team,
09:38and to NCCIM and generally the private sector for your understanding,
09:45and please be assured that we will do whatever is necessary to make Malaysia,
09:59to ensure that Malaysia succeeds and emerges as a great nation in this part of the world.
10:07Terima kasih sekali lagi, penerakan agama.