Political stability vital for country's progress: Najib (Updated)

NABAWAN (Sabah): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said today political stability is a prerequisite for Malaysia's progress.
As such, he said, the people should not take for granted the political stability that had been established by the Barisan Nasional government, which enabled the nation to achieve enviable development.
"I recently visited a country that had gained independence earlier than Malaysia but its wealth was just one-third of Malaysia's," he said, adding that the country had been embroiled in civil strife and there was no political stability.
"If we have a situation where the people are in conflict with one another or there is no political stability, the country will not progress," he said when addressing more than 10,000 people of Nabawan at a meet-the-people session at the Nabawan Town Square in Pensiangan here.
Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Federal Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Pensiangan MP Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, as well as several other federal and state ministers.
Najib said the people should not take for granted the prevailing peace and political stability and decide arbitrarily to change the government.
"We cannot take peace for granted. In the past when we faced the communist threat and we strived for independence, we knew the value of independence and peace. However, after the nation began to enjoy peace and harmony, we became forgetful and took peace for granted. Sometimes, we feel that we are not in dire straits and that we can change the government.
"But you must remember, ladies and gentlemen, that a mistake (of arbitrarily changing the government) can destroy the state and country. Right, ladies and gentlemen?" he asked and was greeted with a resounding applause of "right" from the gathering.
The Prime Minister said that the BN government had proven its capability and brought progress to Malaysia day by day.
The BN government did not just talk or make empty promises like the opposition parties but worked hard to fulfill the aspirations of the people, including bringing development to the rural communities, he said.
He reminded the people that the opposition parties were only good at making empty promises solely to come to power.
"They are in a state of desperation,” he said, adding that they wanted a 93-year-old retired individual to become the prime minister.
He said this did not happen anywhere else in the world and why should it be allowed to happen in Malaysia.
“We must look forward, not just for today but for the next 30 years by way of the National Transformation 2050 (TN50),” he said.
Najib said development plans for Malaysia drawn up today through TN50 were for the future of the young generation of today and tomorrow.
For example, he said, the implementation of several phases of the RM20-billion Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah, the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) that would be ready in October and the eco-tourism project in Tanjung Aru via an RM500-million easy grant to Sabah were for the future generations.
In addition, he said, the government had also approved RM1 billion for Sabah under Budget 2018 to repair dilapidated schools to provide a comfortable learning environment for students.
Najib said all these were being implemented through inclusive development so that the rural people could progress like their counterparts in the urban centres. — Bernama