PEKAN: The country can look forward to a brighter economy with the World Bank revising upwards the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) four times over the last 16 months.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Malaysia is the only country where the World Bank has revised (the forecast) upwards four times within one year and four months.
“This proves that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government is managing the country’s economy well towards becoming an advanced high-income nation. Malaysia has the qualities to become a successful country and this is proven through various efforts including the early completion of the 52km Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) which was completed below the targeted cost.
“The East Cost Rail Link (ECRL) which will be completed in 2022 will pass through Pahang from Bentong to Kota Sas (Kuantan) towards Cherating. Although Pekan is not part of the ECRL route, but due to its location near Kuantan, the people here will also enjoy the spillover economic benefits.
“Recently, the World Bank revised the country’s GDP (to 5.4 per cent) and there is no other country apart than Malaysia where the World Bank has increased the revised estimate four times over the past one year and four months,” he said in his speech before the groundbreaking ceremony to upgrade the trunk road between Pekan town and Kampung Sungai Miang on Sunday.
On April 12, the World Bank raised its forecast for Malaysia’s 2018 GDP growth to 5.4 per cent from 5.2 per cent previously.
The revision, the first for this year, is the fourth in a row following three upward revisions in 2017.
Najib, who is also the BN chairman said the BN government will not only focus on helping to boost the country’s revenue but continue to uphold to its principles and policy of sharing the nation’s wealth with its people.
“We adopt the concept where if the country’s income increases, then we will distribute and share them among the people, especially those in the B40 and M40 categories.
“When we announced the 2018 Budget, the world oil prices were trading around US$52 per barrel. And now that it has fetched around US$67 per barrel, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and corporate tax has increased due to the improving economy, we have decided to share the wealth with the people.
“On April 7, I announced that the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) would be increased by 100 per cent. Starting June and August, the amount will be increased from RM400 to RM800, we have even introduced a new category for those earning between RM4,000 to RM5,000,” he said.
Najib said the people should be confident with the current government who keeps to its promises and gives priority to the people, instead of only making empty pledges.