PM: People want good governance, not just development

(The Star) – PETALING JAYA: Malaysians not only want economic development but efficient and transparent governance as well, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said the people’s expectations and their attitude towards leaders and the Government had changed.

“That is why the benchmark to become a leader today is higher,” he said.

Najib was speaking at the 34th annual general meeting of the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti).

He said 1Malaysia’s vision of People First, Performance Now emphasised on transformation.

“Let others shout for reformation. We choose transformation. We work and most importantly, we deliver,” he said, adding that continuous efforts were being made through the Government Transformation Programme to help the rakyat, including single mothers, old folks, orphans and the chronically ill.

Najib also said that he disagreed with Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin‘s remark in Parliament on Monday which derided women drivers.

“I disagree totally with him (Bung Mokhtar) that women can’t drive properly. We respect and appreciate women’s role and status in the country,” he said to tumultous applause.

Najib said Bakti had become a strong organisation to be proud of and could be a role model to others because of its many achievements.

Bakti president Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor praised the efforts of her fellow members.

“Since its inception, Bakti has been a non-governmental organisation that has an impressive record of charity and social work,” she said in her welcoming speech.

Rosmah added that Bakti’s work was not limited just to Malaysia but extended to assisting victims of natural disasters, including those in Aceh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Japan.