The full text of the Prime Minister’s speech Keynote address by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Invest
Malaysia 2017 at Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
1. Seven
years ago, in 2010, I introduced our New Economic Model – right here, at Invest
Malaysia. This model was designed to transform Malaysia into a high income
nation, and our country into a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable
society, with no one left behind, opportunity made available for all, and the
right fundamentals put in place to secure a stable and successful future.
Najib: But the truth
is that in a democracy numbers don’t lie, and DAP remains by far the most
dominant party in the opposition. The DAP leader of the last half century is
now hiding behind the man who jailed him, trying to deceive Malays into
thinking that former leader is their interim candidate for Prime Minister.
2. We had a
plan of reform, economic transformation and taking the tough but responsible
choices. And it is clear today, that, aided by the hard work of millions of
Malaysians, the plan has worked and is continuing to work.
3. Let the
facts speak for themselves:
4. Between
2009 and 2016, Gross National Income has increased by nearly 50 percent, and
GNI per capita using the Atlas method increased to US$9,850. Based on the World
Bank’s latest high income threshold of US$12,235, we have narrowed the gap
towards the high income target from 33 percent to 19 percent.
5. 2.26
million jobs have been created, which represents 69 percent of the 3.3 million
target we want to reach by 2020. Clearly, we are making the right progress
towards those goals.
6. Inflation
and unemployment have been kept low. We have attracted unprecedented levels of
Foreign Direct Investment, which shows the confidence the world has in
Malaysia.
7. But no
wonder. For our growth has been the envy of the advanced economies, even during
years of turmoil for the global economy. This year, the World Bank has upped
their estimate. We are expected to record a rise in GDP of 4.9 percent,
considerably higher than their earlier prediction of 4.3 percent.
8. Others
have also increased their predictions – Morgan Stanley now says 5 percent,
while Nomura’s forecast is for the Malaysian economy to grow by 5.3 percent
this year. Only yesterday, the IMF have reviewed their forecast from 4.5% to
4.8%. And growth is expected to be higher next year. So we are on the right
trajectory.
9. Other sets
of figures support confidence in Malaysia. In the first quarter of 2017 our
trade, for instance, recorded an increase of 24.3 per cent – up to RM430.5
billion – compared with the same period last year.
10. In March,
exports breached the RM80 billion mark for the first time. At RM82.63 billion,
it was the highest monthly figure for Malaysian exports ever recorded.
11. The capital
market increased by nine percent to a level of RM3.1 trillion in the first six
months of this year, and now ranks fifth in Asia relative to GDP. It continues
to attract wide interest from both domestic and foreign investors. In fact, in the
equity market there were net inflows of RM11 billion in the first half of 2017,
compared to RM3 billion of net outflows during the whole of 2016.
12. The Malaysian
bond market grew to RM1.2 trillion in 2016, while our Islamic capital market
has recorded a hugely impressive average annual growth of 10 percent over the
last six years, reaching RM1.8 trillion in June 2017.
13. Malaysia is
also home to the largest number of listed companies in ASEAN. At US$29 billion,
Bursa Malaysia also recorded the highest amount of funds raised in the last
five years in any country in our ten nation association.
14. And our
currency, the ringgit, has been described by Bloomberg recently as, and I
quote, “easily the strongest major Asian currency this quarter, climbing twice
as much as the next best, the Chinese yuan.”
15. All of this
can point to only one conclusion – our economy continues to prosper, and we are
stronger than ever as a result of the reforms and the programmes the Government
has put in place.
16. The markets,
the business community and companies like strength and stability. They want the
certainty provided by a Government that understands that the prosperity of its
people is best served by being business-friendly, and that sovereignty is not
compromised one inch by the record Foreign Direct Investment this Government
has secured.
17. No. It will
help build the new Malaysia of the 21st century, and bring many benefits, from
knowledge and skills transfers, to a rise in the standard of living for the
people.
18. The business
community wants the certainty of knowing that the Government is committed to
the necessary reforms, and is committed to fostering a culture of
entrepreneurship and to transparency, accountability, and good regulation.
19. On that note,
I can announce that the Government has, in principle, agreed to the
establishment of an Integrity and Governance Unit at all GLCs, and State and
Ministry-owned Business Entities, under the supervision of the Malaysian
Anti-Corruption Commission, precisely to strengthen the confidence all can,
should, and do have in Malaysia.
20. The
international business community knows that it has that certainty – with this
Government. Indeed, they are voting with their feet. HSBC is investing over RM1
billion to build its future regional headquarters in the Tun Razak Exchange,
recognising Malaysia’s increasing status as an international financial and
business centre.
21. Broadcom
Limited, one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies with a market
capitalisation of nearly half a trillion dollars, is going to transfer its
Global Distribution Hub from Singapore to Malaysia in 2017, from where it will
manage the group’s global inventory of RM64 billion a year.
22. Huawei, a
leading global ICT solutions provider which serves more than one third of the
world’s population, has made Malaysia its global operation headquarters, data
hosting centre and global training centre, with a total project cost of RM2.2
billion and employing more than 2,370 people.
23. Saudi Aramco
is investing US$7 billion – that’s its biggest downstream investment outside
the Kingdom – for a 50 percent stake in Petronas’s Refinery and Petrochemical
Integrated Development in Johor. That is the single largest investment in
Malaysia, and shows the confidence Saudi Arabia has in our people, our
technology, and our ability to be a strong partner with their most important
business.
24. Others who
are already here are expanding their operations. Finisar Corporation, a global
technology leader in optical communications, will invest a further RM610
million in its operation in Perak – bringing its total investment in Malaysia
to RM1 billion.
25. Coca-Cola has
already invested RM1 billion in Malaysia since 2010. It announced in March an
additional RM500 million investment to expand the size and production capacity
of their plant at Bandar Enstek.
26. I could go on
and on. The point is that the confidence and certainty global businesses have
in Malaysia brings jobs, lifts wages and helps our workforce upskill.
27. It is this
Government that offers that certainty to businesses both in Malaysia and
overseas. The opposition offers none at all. They are in chaos. Two leading
members of one party can’t agree if the old opposition alliance still exists in
the state of Selangor. “Yes, it does”, says one. “Oh no it doesn’t!” says the
other. It’s like a Punch and Judy show!
28. And the
latest leadership structure the opposition announced is farcical, sounding a
bit like a return-to-work programme for old age political pensioners!
29. It is also
cynical and deceptive, with three leaders but no clarity on who has executive
power among them, and DAP kept deliberately invisible despite controlling the
opposition behind the scenes with the vast majority of their Parliamentary
seats.
30. As for their
Prime Minister candidate, the opposition is so desperate they are now trying to
make the people believe it will be a nonagenarian – who isn’t even a member of
parliament, and whose party has just one seat!
31. But the truth
is that in a democracy numbers don’t lie, and DAP remains by far the most
dominant party in the opposition. The DAP leader of the last half century is
now hiding behind the man who jailed him, trying to deceive Malays into
thinking that former leader is their interim candidate for Prime Minister.
32. Neither can
the word of the opposition be relied on. Just recently, a leading member in one
party said that, if Malaysia had such good relations with Saudi Arabia, why had
the hajj quota not been increased? But it has! Twice this year, from 22,230 to
27,900 and then up to 30,200.
33. That’s
another example of the benefits this Government’s policies bring to the people
of Malaysia – in this case, our foreign policy of forging friendships abroad,
rather than holding grudges for decades, as that certain former leader still
does.
34. But you won’t
hear about the very real benefits from our engagement with Saudi Arabia, China,
India or anywhere else from the opposition. In fact they’ll tell barefaced lies
about it, just as they have been feeding lies about the economy and stoking
fears of economic disaster in Malaysia.
35. There has in
fact been a concerted campaign to send such misinformation overseas to damage
Malaysia’s economy for their own selfish political objectives. So if you
receive these smears, or you read it in publications that do not check the
facts properly, please beware.
36. It is not
fair to the Malaysian people, and it’s not fair to the business community, both
at home and abroad.
37. They, and
you, deserve the truth. So let me tell you what a cross-section of respected
international bodies have to say about this Government’s record.
38. The OECD’s
most recent economic assessment of Malaysia stated, and I quote: “Malaysia is
one of the most successful Southeast Asian economies… thanks to sound
macroeconomic fundamentals and its success in transforming its economy into a
well-diversified and inclusive one.”
39. We are ranked second in ASEAN in the World
Bank’s Doing Business Report 2017 – and 23rd overall, among 190 economies
globally.
40. We were
ranked second among the Southeast Asian nations in the World Economic Forum’s
Human Capital Index 2016, up one place from last year’s third spot.
41. We are ranked
third among 190 economies, worldwide, for Protecting Minority Investors, by the
World Bank Doing Business Report 2017.
42. The World
Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2016-2017 ranks Malaysia fourth
among 138 economies for Strength of Investor Protection.
43. We rank
eleventh out of 125 countries in the Venture Capital and Private Equity
Attractiveness Index, by the IESE Business School in Spain.
44. The ratings
agency Fitch recently reaffirmed our A- rating and stable outlook.
45. And a recent
survey by BAV Consulting and the Wharton School at the University of
Pennsylvania declared Malaysia to be the “Best Country to Invest In”. It said,
and I quote, “Malaysia is the clear frontrunner in this ranking, scoring at
least 30 points more than any other country on a 100 point scale.”
46. There is
clear international unanimity that Malaysia is on the right course, and the
figures and accolades I have reported to you today are the direct result of
this Government’s steering of the economy through uncertain and choppy global
waters.
47. IMF reported
that the resilience of our economy was due, and I quote, to “sound
macroeconomic policy responses in the face of significant headwinds and risks.”
And these sound policies are the reason why they said that: “Malaysia is among
the fastest growing economies among peers.”
48. And lastly,
the World Bank has showed that it agrees as well. In its latest report, issued
just last month, it said that the Government’s “macroeconomic management has
been constantly proactive and effective in navigating near-term challenges in
the economic environment.”
49. It concluded,
and I quote: “The Malaysian economy is progressing from a position of
strength.”
50. Does that
really sound like the Malaysian economy is failing, and that we are in danger
of going bankrupt, as the opposition would have you believe?
51. I think the
World Bank, the OECD and the IMF know what they are talking about – and I’m
sure, ladies and gentlemen, that you do too.
52. We have only
arrived at that position of strength because we put in place a far-reaching
economic plan; and because we have been unafraid to take the tough decisions to
build up the resilience of the Malaysian economy.
53. We have
diversified government sources of income, including reducing reliance on oil
and gas revenues from 41 percent in 2009 to 14 percent today. Given the huge
drop in the price of oil, just imagine how we would be suffering if we had not
done that.
54. We also
needed to widen the tax base, and so, in common with around 160 other
countries, we introduced a Goods and Services Tax, or GST. It was not popular,
but it was the right thing to do – as every reputable economist has confirmed.
55. GST has
helped us in our determination to steadily reduce the deficit – we are on
course to reduce it to three percent this year, from 6.7 percent in 2009 – and
GST has been crucial to retaining our good assessments by the international
ratings agencies.
56. Yet the
opposition say they would abolish it. Tell me, from where exactly would they
produce the RM41 billion collected in GST revenue last year? Out of a hat?
57. If GST was
abolished, it would not just be a matter of a revenue shortfall. The deficit
would rise from 3.1 percent to 5 percent. Our ability to fund the construction
of schools, hospitals and other essentials would be affected.
58. Government
debt would rise above our self-imposed level of 55 percent of GDP. Our
sovereign credit ratings would then be downgraded. Lending costs for all, such
as loans for personal use, for business and for housing, would increase. The
people would suffer, and they would suffer directly.
59. One of
Malaysia’s prominent independent analysts, the Director of Economics at the
Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia, had it right when he
said the idea of getting rid of GST was, and I quote, “preposterous” and
“economically nonsensical”. “I don’t think anyone in their right mind would
want to do that,” he said.
60. It is another
example of what the opposition do when faced with tough decisions: they seek
the easy or the populist way out, regardless of whether it makes sense or is
even possible. They are not being straight with the Malaysian people.
61. This
Government, however, will always be straight with the people and we will always
do right by the people. We will always put their interests first, from economic
welfare to security. Even if it is not the most popular thing to do, we will
not hesitate – because it is the responsible thing to do for the country.
62. This is also
one of the reasons I am not very popular with that certain nonagenarian. Under
his leadership many corners were cut, and the Malaysian people had to pay a
very high price so that a few of his friends benefitted, even when symbols of
national pride had horrendous and catastrophic decisions inflicted on them.
63. But I say to
you now that under this Government, we are cracking down on crony capitalism.
No more sweetheart deals. No more national follies kept going to stroke the ego
of one man. No more treating national companies as though they were personal
property.
64. Because it is
the people who suffer, and we will not tolerate a few succeeding – and not on
their own merits – while the many are denied opportunities, all for the
interests of a selfish few.
65. Now some of
you may be thinking that I have not mentioned national companies where there
have been issues. At 1MDB it is now clear that there were lapses in governance.
66. However,
rather than bury our heads in the sand, we ordered investigations into the
company at a scale unprecedented in our nation’s history. Rather than funnel
good money after bad to cover up any issues 1MDB may have faced – the model
embraced by a former leader – I instructed the rationalisation of the company.
67. And it is
progressing well. Indeed, many of the assets formerly owned by 1MDB are
thriving. One only needs to drive past Tun Razak Exchange to see the new
construction for confirmation.
68. But let’s not
forget that while there were issues at 1MDB, certain politicians blew them out
of proportion, and tried to sabotage the company, in an attempt to topple the
government in-between election cycles.
69. At the time
we knew the real issue was not 1MDB, and that if 1MDB hadn’t been around they
would have chosen another line of attack to try to illegitimately change the
government. So we stood steadfast, and resolute, in the face of this
orchestrated campaign. Because we will not be deterred from our duty, as the
democratically elected government, to serve the nation.
70. Our
priorities were made crystal clear when we introduced the concepts of the
“capital economy” – which refers to the macro perspective – and the “people
economy”, which is focused entirely on the people, the most precious asset of
our great country.
71. We face
challenges ahead, of course. We need to improve productivity. We need to raise
the levels of education and skills. We need to put innovation and creativity at
the heart of the economy of the future.
72. This why we
have partnered with the Chinese technology leader Alibaba to create the Digital
Free Trade Zone, the world's first special trade zone that will promote the
growth of e-commerce, and provide a state-of-the-art platform for both SMEs and
larger enterprises to conduct their digital businesses and services.
73. This
initiative is part of the digital roadmap which aims to double e-commerce
growth from 10.8 per cent to 20.8 per cent by 2020.
74. But we can
only achieve such targets with the people, and by empowering the people. To
ensure the dignity of all, we have virtually eliminated poverty, to less than
one percent. We are delighted that the income of the bottom 40 percent
households has been increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 12 percent
since 2009, when I took office.
75. But we know
that cost of living issues hit those on low incomes the hardest; which is why
we distributed RM5.36 billion in 1Malaysia People’s Aid, or BR1M, to 7.28
million households in 2016. This is why we ensured that essential foods and
necessities are zero rated for GST.
76. At the same
time, we have many agencies promoting affordable housing programmes, and why we
built and restored nearly 95,000 houses for the rural poor last year. Other
affordable housing projects include PPA1M, for civil servants; PR1MA, for the
urban middle income group; and the People’s Housing Programme for the lower
income group, or Bottom 40, with monthly rents as low as RM124.
77.
Infrastructure, too, is absolutely vital. It is crucial for our cities,
and life-changing for rural communities. From 2010 to 2016 we delivered 6,042
kilometres of new rural roads, provided 350,000 houses with access to clean
water, and connected 154,000 houses to electrical services.
78. At the end of
last year, the first phase of the Mass Rapid Transit project was completed, and
recently, the second phase of the Sungai Buloh-Kajang MRT Line has been
launched. We now have 51 kilometres of operational line with 31 stations.
79. This will
take 160,000 cars off road, making Kuala Lumpur more liveable. It created
130,000 new jobs, of which 70,000 are direct employment. And best of all, it
was completed ahead of schedule and RM2 billion below budget. We are now
planning for MRT 2 and 3.
80. The Pan
Borneo Highway in Sarawak and Sabah will be a game changer for our people
there, encouraging greater mobility, boosting industry and tourism and creating
thousands of new jobs.
81. In a few
years time we will have the first high-speed rail link connecting Kuala Lumpur
to Singapore, which will cut travel time between the two cities to 90 minutes,
as compared to more than four hours by car.
82. And the East
Coast Rail Link will bring huge benefits, jobs and a new connectedness to the
people of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan in particular.
83. In other
areas, we are seeing the benefits of our programmes for all the people. The
national pre-school enrolment rate rose to 85.6 percent in 2016, for instance,
as opposed to 67 percent in 2009; and we have achieved almost universal
enrolment for the five years and upwards age group.
84. Women have
seen great strides as well. The female labour force participation rate has
increased from 46 percent in 2009 to 54.3 percent last year. That’s over
700,000 more women in the workforce.
85. And I am
delighted to be able to announce that Malaysia has reached its target of women
making up 30 percent of top management – that’s 1,446 women, out of a total of
4,960 in top management excluding CEOs, as of December 2016.
86. We want to go
further, though, and have set 2020 as the date by which we want all Public
Listed Companies to have at least 30 percent women at board level. Because we
know that when women succeed, we all succeed.
87.
Unfortunately, we still have 17 ‘top 100’ PLCs that have no women at all
on their board. This just is not good enough, and I call on these companies to
immediately address this lack of diversity. I would like to announce that, from
2018, the Government will name and shame PLCs with no women on their boards.
88. As many of
you will know, SMEs make up 97 percent of businesses in Malaysia, and one of
the hallmarks of my administration has been its support and encouragement for
this backbone of our economy.
89. So I am
pleased to be able to officially launch today the Leading Entrepreneur
Accelerator Platform Market, or LEAP Market, by Bursa Malaysia. This is a new
qualified market which will offer an alternative way for small and medium
companies to raise funds and grow their business to the next level.
90. It is in line
with our SME Masterplan which aims to raise the share of GDP contributed by
SMEs, their numbers of employees, and their volume of exports.
91. And it is
another of the many initiatives that my Government has put in place in pursuit
of our transformation, and that prove our trustworthiness as a
business-friendly government of a vibrant economy.
92. We want you
to see Malaysia as a gateway to ASEAN and the region, and with the eventual
conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership or RCEP, we want
you to see Malaysia as a base from which to access almost 50 percent of the
world’s population, and over 30 percent of global GDP.
Ladies and gentlemen,
93. This year, we
are celebrating the 60th anniversary of independence. From relatively humble
beginnings, we have grown and evolved into a modern economy and society with a
record to be proud of. But we are looking to the future as well – which is why
we have produced the 2050 National Transformation, or TN50, initiative.
94. Through TN50,
we want to listen to our Rakyat. We want them to be heard. And through our
dialogue sessions, we are listening to the aspirations of our youth for what
they want the Malaysia of 2050 to be.
95. As the Prime
Minister of Malaysia, I want to lay out the foundations needed for our nation
to be counted among the very top countries in the world. We want that
competitive edge, and to be a knowledge-based society – but we must always work
towards those goals in ways that are sustainable, inclusive and equitable. No
Malaysian must ever be left behind. All must participate and benefit from this
amazing journey that we are on.
96. We invite you
be to part of that journey, and I hope today we are able to shed light on the
tremendous opportunities that Malaysia has to offer. We urge to you to look at
our potential; to look at the great achievements the Government’s
Transformation Programme has delivered, and continues to deliver; and invest in
Malaysia.
97. Once again,
let me welcome you to Kuala Lumpur. I would like to take this opportunity to
thank the organisers and to wish you all a very successful conference. - July
25, 2017
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