KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- The vision 2020, aimed at achieving
the developed nation status for Malaysia by the year 2020, was among
three aspects of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's leadership as prime minister
that left a major impact on the country's development, said Datuk Seri
Najib Tun Razak.
The Prime Minister said the other two aspects were saving the country's
economy during the world economic crisis in 1997 and building the
people's confidence emotionally and psychologically that they were
capable of achieving anything beyond expectation through the slogan
'Malaysia Boleh'.
"When Tun Mahathir revealed the vision for Malaysia to turn into a
developed nation, it had created a new passion for Malaysians, whereby
we are now in the final stage of fulfilling the Vision 2020.
"To me, there is a most fitting way to remember the deeds of a national
leader who had contributed immensely, that is, we have to fulfill all
the visions that he had dreamed of," Najib said at the Gala Dinner "Tun
Dr Mahathir: Famous Legacy" as well as the launch of the "Mahathir
Distinguished Internship Program" (MDIP), here Tuesday night.
Also present were Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed
Ali and the Prime Minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
The Prime Minister said the government had continued the efforts
initiated by Dr Mahathir by implementing various programmes including
the Economic Transformation Programme and the New Economic Model, which
were all inspired by Dr Mahathir's vision in turning Malaysia into a
developed nation by 2020.
Najib said, in fact Dr Mahathir was also the country's economic saviour
when Malaysia was hit by the financial crisis as he had refused to allow
Malaysia to be under the control of the International Monetary Fund
(IMF).
"...And I support what Tun (Mahathir) had said that he certainly would
not hand over our country to be controlled by the IMF under whatever
circumstances.
"On the other hand, if anyone wants to accuse him (Tun) of writing the
letter (to IMF), I think it's all utter rubbish," he said.
Earlier, it was reported that Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
had claimed that Dr Mahathir had written a letter to the IMF.
Najib said emotionally and pychologically, Dr Mahathir had also given
the people something they might not have had before in the Malaysia
Boleh spirit, which was self-confidence that eventually inspired the
country's development into what Malaysia was now.
"That, I believe, is among the major impacts of Tun Mahathir's
leadership, where he had rescued the country from an (economic) crisis ,
placing the nation on the right track towards achieving the goal of
being a developed nation, and giving self-confidence to us as
Malaysians," he said.
He added that to realise the vision 2020, the country needed the support
and motivation from everyone particularly Tun Mahathir.
"To realise the Vision 2020, we have to cross a bridge soon. We hope we
will succeed in crossing the bridge with the support of Tun Mahathir,"
he said.
Meanwhile, in his speech Dr Mahathir expressed his appreciation to
everyone who had always supported his administration previously, and for
praying for his well being as well as that of his family's.
The MDIP is a global interlectual research programme set up with the
cooperation of the National Professors Council, Perdana Leadership
Foundation and Institut Pemikiran Tun Mahathir to honour Tun Mahathir's
leadership and contributions to the nation's development and progress
for the past 22 years.
The programme, which is open to candidates from abroad, enables them
undergo six months of internship in Malaysia to carry out research and
analysis on Mahathir's administrative style, success and leadership as
Prime Minister.
The event was held in conjunction with Mahathir's 86th birthday Tuesday.
No comments:
Post a Comment