ID :
26118
Wed, 10/22/2008 - 21:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/26118
The shortlink copeid
NEW LEADERSHIP MUST RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN M`SIANS & INVESTORS
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's new leadership assuming top public
office in March next year must focus on restoring confidence in Malaysians and
investors as a matter of priority, says International Trade and Industry
Minister Muyhiddin Yassin.
He said the leaders must have a clear vision as to where they were heading
to and set their priorities right such as the country's economic health amid
the current uncertainties and ensure political stability.
"Issues of bringing an extra Ringgit into the pockets of every Malaysian,
especially to middle-and low-income earners. The bread and butter issues. I
think we should deal with these issues first in setting our priorities right,"
he said.
The new leadership should also put things back in order in terms of public
perception, policies and leadership style," he said when asked how different
the nation's new leadership would be after March 2009.
"Of course, the names (leaders) will be different, whether it is for good
or
worse. When there is a marriage, that is what we vow to do (to be together) in
good and bad times," said the minister in a lighter vein.
Earlier, delivering a keynote address entitled: "The Importance of
Corporate
Leadership in The Current Economic Environment", Muhyiddin said political
stability had always been Malaysia's top "selling point" to investors, but
after the March 8 general election it had changed to "political uncertainties."
"That has caused a few downsides. So, obviously the new leadership should
bring back a higher degree of confidence. Reinstate confidence among Malaysians
and investors. (Tell them that) Malaysia is back into business," he said.
He said there was no doubt that Malaysians at large have high expectations
from the new leadership team.
"We want to bring back the good days during the difficult times. We want to
bring back confidence, spirit of trust and reinstate credibility in business
and politics. Public perception is also important. So, we have to deal with it,"
said Muhyiddin, an Umno vice-president, who is vying for the Umno deputy
president post in the March party elections.
He said the government was willing to engage in dialogues with interest
groups willing to contribute ideas on the new leadership's expectations.
"At the end of the day, what we hope is for all of you to come back and
say let's support the National Front (Barisan Nasional -BN) government.
"Ultimately, the destiny of the nation is the collective responsibility of
all groups, entities and stakeholders.
"For us to be in a position to overcome this stressful period, we need the
most capable and committed leaders in our ranks. They must be imbued with a
spirit of persistence to bind the whole nation together in a common cause," he
stressed in the keynote address.
To say that the present economic environment is "challenging" may
be the classic understatement, he said.
"The dramatic events of the past three months have not been entirely
unexpected but this has not lessened any of their dramatic force," he said.
Going forward, he said, the enabling business environment that has been
created in the country must be further enhanced.
"More than ever, we must invest in our human and physical capital. Our
philosophy of Malaysia Incorporated, where the public and private sectors are
partners in creating prosperity, must remain a cornerstone of our efforts," he
said.
The government would continue to be vigilant and review policies to ensure
they were relevant and contributed towards economic and social equity, he said.
He said better infrastructures and incentives that would generate greater
interest among investors would be given due consideration.
"Policies, rules and regulations have to be consistent as "flip-flop"
policies don't work well for businesses," he said.
The government had also increased funds to issue loans for small-and
medium-sized enterprises, which represent 99 percent of the country's
establishments and contributed a major chunk to the nation's GDP, he added.
-- BERNAMA
office in March next year must focus on restoring confidence in Malaysians and
investors as a matter of priority, says International Trade and Industry
Minister Muyhiddin Yassin.
He said the leaders must have a clear vision as to where they were heading
to and set their priorities right such as the country's economic health amid
the current uncertainties and ensure political stability.
"Issues of bringing an extra Ringgit into the pockets of every Malaysian,
especially to middle-and low-income earners. The bread and butter issues. I
think we should deal with these issues first in setting our priorities right,"
he said.
The new leadership should also put things back in order in terms of public
perception, policies and leadership style," he said when asked how different
the nation's new leadership would be after March 2009.
"Of course, the names (leaders) will be different, whether it is for good
or
worse. When there is a marriage, that is what we vow to do (to be together) in
good and bad times," said the minister in a lighter vein.
Earlier, delivering a keynote address entitled: "The Importance of
Corporate
Leadership in The Current Economic Environment", Muhyiddin said political
stability had always been Malaysia's top "selling point" to investors, but
after the March 8 general election it had changed to "political uncertainties."
"That has caused a few downsides. So, obviously the new leadership should
bring back a higher degree of confidence. Reinstate confidence among Malaysians
and investors. (Tell them that) Malaysia is back into business," he said.
He said there was no doubt that Malaysians at large have high expectations
from the new leadership team.
"We want to bring back the good days during the difficult times. We want to
bring back confidence, spirit of trust and reinstate credibility in business
and politics. Public perception is also important. So, we have to deal with it,"
said Muhyiddin, an Umno vice-president, who is vying for the Umno deputy
president post in the March party elections.
He said the government was willing to engage in dialogues with interest
groups willing to contribute ideas on the new leadership's expectations.
"At the end of the day, what we hope is for all of you to come back and
say let's support the National Front (Barisan Nasional -BN) government.
"Ultimately, the destiny of the nation is the collective responsibility of
all groups, entities and stakeholders.
"For us to be in a position to overcome this stressful period, we need the
most capable and committed leaders in our ranks. They must be imbued with a
spirit of persistence to bind the whole nation together in a common cause," he
stressed in the keynote address.
To say that the present economic environment is "challenging" may
be the classic understatement, he said.
"The dramatic events of the past three months have not been entirely
unexpected but this has not lessened any of their dramatic force," he said.
Going forward, he said, the enabling business environment that has been
created in the country must be further enhanced.
"More than ever, we must invest in our human and physical capital. Our
philosophy of Malaysia Incorporated, where the public and private sectors are
partners in creating prosperity, must remain a cornerstone of our efforts," he
said.
The government would continue to be vigilant and review policies to ensure
they were relevant and contributed towards economic and social equity, he said.
He said better infrastructures and incentives that would generate greater
interest among investors would be given due consideration.
"Policies, rules and regulations have to be consistent as "flip-flop"
policies don't work well for businesses," he said.
The government had also increased funds to issue loans for small-and
medium-sized enterprises, which represent 99 percent of the country's
establishments and contributed a major chunk to the nation's GDP, he added.
-- BERNAMA
