Vision 2020 Among Dr Mahathir's Major Impact On National Development, Says PM

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 Dr Mahathir Mohamad's leadership as prime minister that left a major impact on the country's development, said Najib 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 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, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali and the Prime Minister's wife, 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 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 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 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 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 Mahathir to honour 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 on Tuesday. -- BERNAMA Malaysia