PETALING: As the year 2023 comes to an end, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he is hopeful that 2024 will bring about positive changes to the country and its people.
Despite many challenges that the Unity Government faced in 2023, he said it has also brought about multiple successes such as a lower inflation rate and reduction of unemployment.
Moving forward, he stressed the importance of government leaders and their machinery to shift their focus on improving the country’s economy in an effort to alleviate the people’s burden with the rising cost of living.
"Regardless of the percentage of the inflation and unemployment rate, I don’t want to be mesmerised by the data because the real measurement is in the well-being of the rakyat.
"Yes, the percentage is low but those who are burdened by the cost of living must be assisted.
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"Hopefully, 2024 will bring a better and positive change to Malaysians. It is the responsibility of the leaders and all pieces of machinery to shift our focus towards economy, economy and economy.
"This is to ensure we can ease people’s struggle in terms of inflation, unemployment, cost of living, education standard, health and service to the public can be guaranteed," he said in his New Year’s message on Sunday (Dec 31).
Anwar commended the hard work displayed by all ministries, saying that the successes the federal administration had enjoyed in 2023 were a result of solid teamwork within the government.
He said effective teamwork among all ministries was possible as the country was finally able to enjoy political stability after experiencing multiple crises and uncertainties in the last few years.
"The advice given by the Malay Rulers and the decision made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong allowed us to navigate things successfully.
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"Our utmost focus on spurring the economy was possible after we fixed our governance and thankfully, all enforcement agencies have taken brave steps such as on the ultra-rich who, as everyone knows, have accumulated extraordinary wealth."
The Prime Minister also expressed hope that leaders and all segments of society would give their best to ensure a total reform could be achieved in 2024.
"This is only the preview of the long road of reformation and we must not be hypnotised because if we do, we will be in slumber.
"Work harder in 2024. That is our determination for the year 2024. Happy New Year 2024!" he added.
