Agong praises Najib for country’s many achievements

(FMT) – Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah has praised Prime Minister Najib Razak for the country’s many achievements in the year past including the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the push for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) despite strong opposition to both from certain quarters.

When officiating the first Parliamentary sitting for 2016, the King said the implementation of the GST had saved the country’s economy, and had it not been for the consumption tax, we would have been severely affected by the drop in oil prices, among others.

“The instability of the global economy and politics, especially plummeting crude oil prices have affected the country’s income, resulting in the devaluation of the ringgit,” he said, adding that the efficient management of fiscal policies supported by the GST, had seen the country’s economy continue to grow at 5 per cent last year, with an expected rise of between 4 to 4.5 per cent this year.”

The GST was implemented on April 1, 2015.

On the issue of the TPPA, the King said the trade agreement was to ensure the country remained competitive in the global market and to expand the country’s access to the markets of member countries comprising some 800 million people with a GDP of USD27.5 trillion.

“The government has and will continue to defend national interests, including the Bumiputera’s economic development in any trade negotiations including the TPPA.

“I congratulate all MPs for debating and passing the motion for Malaysia to participate in the TPPA.”

The King also praised Najib for the country’s success in chairing the Asean Summit which led to the formation of the 2015 Asean Economic Community and said it had been a proud moment for the country.

“The summit successfully assembled the world’s top leaders in a forum which has highlighted the role of our country on the international arena.

“Malaysia will occupy a seat on the Unesco Executive board till 2019 and retain its position in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), for the sixth time.”

The King also praised the nation’s achievement in improving Malaysia’s competitiveness in the global market by ranking 18th out of 144 countries in the Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016.

“This shows the international community’s high level of confidence in Malaysia.”