Professionals Are Opinion Makers Contributing To Nation Building - Najib

PUTRAJAYA, June 12 (Bernama) - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today said professionals are opinion makers who contribute towards the nation building process and lead Malaysia in making its vision a reality.

He said professionals were also highly sought after opinion leaders in the society and country.

"The very nature of that unique position that you occupy can render you to be pivotal in getting people to support, appreciate and understand support and commit themselves in ensuring (that) the vision of Malaysia becomes a reality," he said at the National Launch of Professional Forum (ProF) at his official residence, Seri Perdana, here Tuesday.

Also present were the President of the Malaysian Professional Centre (BIM) John S.C. Loh and about 300 members of BIM.

Najib, who is also the patron of BIM, said the professionals were testimony to Malaysia's success story.

"This does not happen by accident. You are clever people, no doubt about it, but even clever people needs help as well and you know that you cannot succeed on your own. The government too cannot succeed without your support.

"That's why I need your support," he said.

Meanwhile, Najib, who is also the Finance Minister, said the government would consider BIM's proposals, including the removal of service tax of six percent payable by clients who use professional services and the set-up of a revolving fund to provide soft loans.

"Those are the things I can't decide in a tea function (like this)... During the budget, I can consider so that professionals in this country can prosper," he said.

Najib said the government's Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), Government Transformation Programme (GTP), Political Transformation Programme (PTP) and Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) would benefit the people and the professional groups.