Najib: 11MP marks a momentous milestone for Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: Numerous reforms put in place by the government have improved the quality of life of the people, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak (pix).
In his foreword of the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP), Najib said the 11MP marks a momentous milestone in the nation's history.
He said this was the next critical step in becoming an advanced nation that is inclusive and sustainable.
Najib added that although Malaysia has encountered headwinds from the global economic slowdown, the nation's economy has done extremely well with GDP growth among the fastest in the region.
"The quality of life of the rakyat has also improved as reflected by the increase in both per capita income and the average household income. This was made possible by the numerous government reforms put in place," he said.
Key among those reforms were the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), which he said was underpinned by the 10th Malaysia Plan.
Najib said that moving forward, the nation has to be cognisant of the fact that the global landscape is going to be increasingly challenging.
"We foresee greater volatility and uncertainty in the global economy as a result of the declining oil prices, realignment of exchange rates, as well as geopolitical risks," he said, adding that "In order to sustain our growth momentum and ensure that the rakyat continue to prosper, we need to forge ahead with greater resolve and introduce bold measures for the long-term benefit of all Malaysians".
In light of this, he said the 11MP will focus rapidly on delivering high impact outcomes to both capital economies and people economies at affordable costs.
He also stressed that productivity and innovation will be the pillars of the 11MP.
"In the previous five-year plans, productivity and innovation have been alluded to, we have not fully realised the intended results," he said.
Najib added that the 11MP will "make the difference" because it contains specific strategies and programmes bounded on outcomes to unlock productivity and transform innovation to wealth.
"Spurring productivity and innovation will provide the basis for sustained economic growth, create new economic opportunities and ensure continued wellbeing and prosperity of the rakyat," he added.