| PM Asks People To Help Govt Resolve National Problems |
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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
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KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Saturday night called on the people to work with the government to resolve problems impeding greater national prosperity through their preparedness, understanding and patience.
At the same time, the government would ensure there was more intensive economic growth through the creation of new investment opportunities in the private sector, he said.
"God willing, I should be able to announce the measures to be taken to strengthen the private sector which I know has the financial capacity.
"What is necessary is for us to create the opportunities for investment by the private sector in our country so that with that capacity we will see more intensive economic growth and more employment opportunities," he said in his 2006 New Year message broadcast over Radio Television Malaysia (RTM).
Abdullah said this was achievable because the country had an abundance of assets which, if used as best as possible, would give impetus to the progress already achieved.
The prime minister pledged to ensure that all projects promised by the government under Budget 2006 would be implemented successfully.
"I will ensure that everything provided for under our budget ... projects that must be carried out are implemented in earnest.
"We must implement (the projects) with seriousness so that the desire to bring benefits, progress and success to the country is achieved," he said.
Abdullah said the government would also ensure that the projects to be carried out together with the private sector are undertaken successfully.
"We want those in the government to specially ensure they acquire efficiency in the implementation of projects with the private sector ... we also want them to work hard," he said.
Abdullah said the government would also enhance the country's capability from time to time to ensure that it can respond to any crisis immediately.
Although the country had proven that it had the capability to handle crises that occurred in the past, problems that crop up demand constant preparedness by the nation, he said.
He related how the country managed to handle crises since early this year, beginning with the tsunami disaster followed by the rise in oil prices and culminating in the severe floods in the northern and east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia.
All these disasters challenged the government to act immediately with the resources at its disposal, he said.
Abdullah said the nation's readiness to face up to crises would be stepped up through the shaping of human capital that was equipped not only with knowledge but also good moral values.
"If we possess these good qualities, God willing, we will become a truly progressive people... a people with the capability to do anything at all that is best for the future of the nation," he said.
Abdullah said the private sector must also play its role by showing initiative to help through its creativity and innovation in handling problems.
"When we talk of rising oil prices, we must surely be prepared to change our outlook and lifestyle. We must never indulge in wastage. Wastage is not good.
"We have to strive to ensure that in using energy we ensure efficiency ... through energy efficiency, there will be no wastage," he said.
Abdullah expressed gratification with the success attained by the country this year, including by the nation's athletes in the international arena.
"We have seen Nicol (Ann) David become a world champion in squash. She raised her game to excellence to win the World Cup, and thus Nicol David has become a sportswoman of distinction," he said.
Abdullah said he was also proud of the country's athletes for their performance at the recent SEA Games in the Philippines that made Malaysia's name shine in Southeast Asia.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction with the success of the country in organising several large conferences during the year, such as the Asean Summit, which could not have been possible without the commitment of the government employees and the people.
"I express my thanks to those who had given their support to our workers and officers who had worked hard to ensure these conferences were successful," he said.
Abdullah said he was also thankful to the nation's security forces which had ensured the security of the country.
-- BERNAMA
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