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Thursday May 9, 2013

GE13: Najib wants to unite the people and focus on modernisation programme

By WONG PEK MEI
pekmei@thestar.com.my


Back to work: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak waving as he arrives at his office in Putrajaya – his first day as Prime Minister in his second term. Back to work: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak waving as he arrives at his office in Putrajaya – his first day as Prime Minister in his second term.

PETALING JAYA: Bringing people together after the general election will be one of the main tasks of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“My next task is to harmonise the racial makeup of Malaysia,” he said in a interview with Wall Street Journal, which was posted on the international news daily's website on Tuesday.

Najib said he would also focus on a multi-billion-dollar modernisation programme because “expanding the size and scope of the country's economy would help draw support back to Barisan Nasional”.

The Prime Minister said he now aimed to push through a US$444bil (RM1.32tril) plan to boost consumer spending and make the nation more competitive against countries like South Korea and Singapore.

“There are those who will expect a bit more because they voted for you but you still have to keep things in balance,” said Najib.

He expressed satisfaction towards the country's positive climb in the financial market.

“I was happy to see the market strengthen so much. The word is out that Malaysia is now on the buy' list,” he said.

During the interview, Najib also rubbished allegations by Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that Barisan flew in foreigners from nearby countries to vote in hot seats during the election.

“That would take hundreds of planes. Where were they?” Najib pointed out.

He emphasised that there was a need to pursue fair and inclusive policies, acknowledging that there were divisions in the country as suggested by the outcome of Sunday's polls.

“We need to reach out to others. That's why I spoke about national reconciliation and moderation after the election win,” he said.

He reportedly said that “once the drama of the elections and their aftermath have passed, the country would find a more even keel”.

“We always do,” said Najib.

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