Najib launches ‘Friends of BN’, seeks stronger UK ties
(The Malaysian Insider) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today launched the “Friends of Barisan Nasional UK” (FBNUK), which will actively seek to promote closer ties with the United Kingdom and disseminate reliable, timely and accurate information to the Malaysian diaspora here.
He said he hoped that the unique group could address these issues.
“A lot has changed over the last few years, and we want to make sure you get to hear about it. Our economy has been liberalised, creating jobs and increasing the wealth of ordinary Malaysians,” said Najib, who arrived here this morning with his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, for a two-day working visit.
His message to Malaysians in the UK was, “please connect more closely with Malaysia and play a bigger role in our national development, either by returning home or — less ambitiously but no less importantly — by sharing your considerable expertise with our national institutions from your base in Britain”.
“There’s room under the Malaysian sun for all our country men and women, whoever they are and however they choose to contribute. Everyone has a part to play, everyone can make a difference and everyone can grow and prosper,” he said when launching the FBNUK at the House of Lords, here.
Besides Rosmah, present at the event were Malaysian High Commissioner to the UK Datuk Seri Zakaria Sulong and wife Datin Hazizah Zakaria, as well as a number of British public figures such as Lord Howell of Guildford and Lord Sheikh of Cornhill.
Addressing over 100 people at the launch, Najib said: “We’re still a young nation and the journey ahead is an exciting one, so I urge you, keep abreast of what’s happening at home and be ready to step up and play your part.”
The prime minister said he had previously mentioned that the era of “government knows best” was well and truly over.
“The most important job of the government today is not just to listen but to truly hear the people’s voice… and that means yours as well,” he said.
Najib said that government services in Malaysia had been revolutionised, including improving education, developing rural infrastructure, expanding public transport, reducing poverty, cutting crime and corruption, and bringing down the cost of living.
Malaysia has also unveiled the most significant package of political reforms since its independence, he said, pointing out to the repeal of outdated security laws, implementation of new measures to enhance media freedoms and taking a range of important steps to clean up elections.
Last month, Parliament passed the Printing Presses and Publications (Amendment) Bill 2012 aimed at removing the “absolute power” of the home minister in passing or rejecting the licence for printing presses and also voted to repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA), among others.
