Malaysia "Best Package" As A Country, Says PM Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Najib Tun Razak said Friday Malaysia offered the best package as a country in terms of standard of living and amenities. The prime minister said other countries may be better in some other aspects but, seen as an entire package, Malaysia has its advantages. "As a package, Malaysia is value for money. It is difficult for us to say that there are places better than Malaysia. "In terms of fuel prices, house rent or cost of houses and anything else at all ... Malaysia is far better as a package," he told reporters after a visit to the Kg Kerinchi People's Housing Project in Lembah Pantai here. Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor and Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin accompanied him on the visit, which was part of his tour of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Friday. The prime minister had also visited Wangsa Maju and Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras. Najib said foreign visitors he met have admitted that they are impressed with Malaysia's achievements thus far. "No other place can give one value for money," he said. The prime minister said this best package that Malaysia has will be constantly improved by quantum leaps to ensure that the country is on equal standing with the developed nations. "We are going to make the improvements not bit by bit but by quantum leaps," he said. Najib cited the commitment of the government in implementing mega projects such as the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and River of Life, which would transform the face of Kuala Lumpur in five years, and said these are among the quantum leaps that will take Malaysia to a more remarkable level. The prime minister said the achievement will enable Kuala Lumpur then to match major cities of the world, such as London, New York and Tokyo. He expressed confidence that more major changes would take place in the country through the national transformation plans. "The changes are guided by the national transformation plans. We will undergo a major transformation, and in eight more years we will become a developed nation. That status will be achieved in quantum leaps and we will be respected. "Compared to the promises of the opposition, the government's plans are more realistic and not populist in nature to merely garner votes," he said. Earlier, in his address, Najib said the government is prepared to augment the RM35 million approved for the 1Malaysia Maintenance Fund, the establishment of which he announced during the 2010 Federal Territory Day celebration at Merdeka Square (US$1=RM3.11). The fund is to be used for the repair and maintenance of private sector low-cost houses in the federal capital. At Friday's event, Najib announced the setting up of a 1Malaysia library at the Kerinchi People's Housing Project as a corporate social responsibility project to make available community-based services in Kuala Lumpur. Three 1Malaysia libraries are to be developed this year in the Lembah Pantai, Titiwangsa and Wangsa Maju parliamentary constituencies. Najib also agreed to the setting up of a Permata Negara kindergarten in the Kerinchi People's Housing Project for the early education of children there. Kampung Kerinchi will also have a new mosque, to be named Masjid Tun Rahah, donated by the family of the prime minister. Tun Rahah Noah is Najib's mother. The mosque is expected to be ready by the end of this year, Najib said. -- BERNAMA