Najib: What He Said in 2009

Bernama has deemed it fit to list down all the important pronouncements of Premier Najib in 2009.

I append the article in toto.

The year 2009 has opened a new chapter for PM Najib who took over the country’s leadership in April. As the new prime minister, every speech, directive and comment made has claimed attention from the masses. Below are some of the interesting quotes by the prime minister this year.

• I urge us to rise to the challenge of building a 1 Malaysia. People First. Performance Now. (April 3: On assuming office as the sixth prime minister)

• BN will keep the promises and we will deliver them. We will do away with the practice of announcing “instant noodle” projects during elections. If certain projects would benefit the people and we had promised that to them or committed on them in the elections, we will definitely implement them. (April 5: Commenting on the Bukit Selambau, Bukit Gantang and Batang Ai by-elections results)

• I don’t crave power for the sake of power but I need power to serve the people and ensure successful nation building. (May 20: Addressing a farewell reception at the Finance Ministry)

• The 1 Malaysia is not a new concept or formula but its ultimate objective is national unity, which is the primary vision of previous administrators translated into various forms over the last five decades or so.

• In other words, 1 Malaysia is a concept to foster unity in Malaysians of all races based on several important values which should become the practice of every Malaysian. (June 15: Replying on the 1 Malaysia concept during question time in the Dewan Rakyat)

• “We need not carry the label ‘development with Islam’ because we have been championing the cause of Islam for a long time and had provided a prosperous life to Muslims because we don’t want the Muslims to be poor and without strength. (10/9: at a breaking of fast at Felda Teloi Timor)

• I’ve gone to several places to meet the people. As leaders, if we go visiting without protocol and without the red-carpet welcome, the bunga manggar or any special reception, but we sit down with the people over drinks and hear their problems, the people will remain with us (13/9: speaking in Tawa at a breaking of fast and handing-over of charity contributions to orphans and the poor.)

• I would like to see that we all have a sense of belonging in Malaysia, irrespective of our race, and feel that this is our country. This is our birthplace, this is the country that we will give our undivided loyalty and commitment to. If we can have the resolve, it means we have already reached the stage of embracing the 1 Malaysia concept. I always say “One Dream, One People, One Nation.(13/10:exclusive interview with Bernama in conjunction with the 2009 Umno General Assembly)

• Umno should be seen, regarded and trusted as a party that is capable of looking after the lot of the people. Umno cannot be seen as a party which is only passionate about struggling for the interest of a small group. Instead, we want Umno to be seen, felt and fully trusted as a party that is inclusive and that puts the interests of the people before personal interests. Therefore, the perception that Umno is a party for people to “cari makan” (earn a living) must be erased and discarded. (15/10: maiden speech as Umno president in conjunction with the 2009 Umno General Assembly)

• Believe it, that our struggle is the right struggle, that our struggle is a true struggle. We are Umno, the one party that brings the flame of hope and is capable of charting a bright future for the people.

• Whatever the challenges, whatever the hurdles, with a mount of hope, we continue this journey with confidence, all dreams will be fulfilled, a drop will become an ocean, a clump will become a mountain. (15/10: maiden speech as Umno president in conjunction with the 2009 Umno General Assembly)

• After we’ve made the amendments, we begin a new journey by leaving behind the negative elements such as money politics, so that we become a clean and respected party. (15/10: maiden speech as Umno president in conjunction with the 2009 Umno General Assembly)

• I have to make a decision in the interests of the BN. I am not merely the president of Umno; I am also the chairman of the BN. I am the prime minister not only for the Malays; I am the prime minister for all Malaysians. (1/11: opening Gerakan national delegates conference)

• We will change for the better. I give you the commitment, we will change for the better. But I ask (that it should be) not only me. Do not just look at the prime minister; we all must reflect the change. We must be like the train. (When) the train is moving ... it cannot be the locomotive alone ... everybody else must work together. (1/11: opening Gerakan national delegates)

• There is no need to bang tables or throw files at them but those who do not perform must be told of their dismal performance and the need for them to improve. (2/11: Prime Minister’s Department staff at its monthly gathering)

• Subsidies is an illness, once you enjoy it, it is hard to give up. (4/11:speaking at Bankers Club Luncheon Talk)

• I believe that as the Prime Minister of all Malaysians, it is vital that I personally supervise the effectuation of the first budget under my administration. (11/11: Blog 1 Malaysia: Implementing the 1 Malaysia Budget)

• I have been saying privately, but I might as well say it publicly, that the thing I liked about President Bush’s foreign policy is that he was very pro-free trade. Frankly I don’t like the other policies, but I like his policy on free trade. (14/11: panel session at the Apec CEO Summit 2009).

• Our diversity must be a blessing if it is not to be a curse (21/11: keynote address to open Asia Society’s Asia 21 Young Leader Summit). — Bernama

The Axiata Road Map

Having spent two years beefing up its foundation, Axiata has its eyes set on becoming the first among equals in the regional telecommunications scene by 2015.

Since its spin-off from Telekom Malaysia, Axiata has embarked on a strategy aimed at transforming itself into a top regional mobile operator group.

The road map and journey is split into three phases.

The first phase, which has been completed, was about setting the foundations right.

The second phase, which will be implemented between 2010 and 2012,will have Axiara competing on par with its regional peers such as SingTel and Hutchison.

The third phase beginning from 2013 to 2015 will be delivery day to become the region's top mobile operator group.

Jamaludin Ibrahim paints his picture like this.

"The second phase is what I call a 'game changing' phase, in terms of financial performance, business model and even the products that we have. Like a football club, we are now promoted, and we will be competing with the big boys in the premier league. Not good enough to be champions yet, but good enough to compete,"

Axiata, which grew its third-quarter and nine-month net profit by 106.5 per cent and 8 per cent to RM503.7 million and RM1.09 billion respectively, assures investors that they can expect better performance from the company in its second phase.

"In general, investors can expect stronger revenue and profit in the second phase. In terms of absolute numbers, Celcom and XL will still be contributing the most. But in terms of growth, we expect Bangladesh and Indonesia to be the key drivers," says Jamaluddin.

The company has allocated not more than RM3.5 billion as capital expenditure (capex) next year, the bulk of it will be for its Indonesian operations. The funds will be generated internally by the operating companies. For 2009, the company allocated some RM4.2 billion for capex.

"The final capex number is not finalised yet, we intend to reduce the amount significantly," said Jamaludin.

For next year, Jamaludin expects competition to remain intense in most of the countries it has operations. However, he said competition in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka may be "exceptionally challenging" next year.

"We have competition in Malaysia and Indonesia, but we foresee the potential of increased intensity, beyond what we think is normal, especially in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. We are already seeing it in India, and it may continue or worsen.

"These 'beyond normal' activities include price wars, irrational pricing and others. For example, the Indian telecommunications industry saw its revenue per minute decreasing by roughly 20 per cent within one quarter, that's not normal," explained Jamaludin.

Mobile broadband, which was one of the keys to wholly-owned Celcom (Malaysia) Bhd's successful 14 consecutive quarterly revenue and earnings growth, is expected to play a bigger role in Axiata's other operating companies next year.

"For 2010, apart from the normal business as usual growth, which is through network coverage, we also see growth from mobile broadband. Celcom has been successful with its mobile broadband strategy and by end of this year, we expect 3 to 5 per cent of Celcom's revenue to come from mobile broadband. Now, we are looking at doing the same thing in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

"Next year, we will be doing mobile broadband in a big way. For example, we will be investing between US$100 million and US$150 million (RM344 million-RM516 million) for mobile broadband in XL alone," he added.

With the investment, XL will be able to cover most key urban areas with the high speed wireless network.

So like a tangram, Axiata is moving direction. If it gets itself right, Axiata will bloom!

Watch Your Language at Home or Else....

This will happen.


This was taken from a real spelling exercise in class.

We may laugh in jest but it is no laughing matter if your child says and spells that way too!

RPGT: A Better Redefinition for Action

Let us see how many flip flops there has been since the announcement of Budget 2010.

First to get the axe was the decision to mandatorily compel owners of cars aging 15 years above to subject their cars for PUSPAKOM check before roadtax could be issued. It went down because vintage car owners were up in arms.

The second policy reversal was on credit cards. Now it is no more government tax for current card holders until their card renewal dates next year. Only new card holders need pay the RM50 tax.

Yesterday, PM Najib decided to humour the housing industry. He has now reworded the policy to effect the 5% RPGT only for sale of houses within 5 years of purchase.

If you add the hullabaloo of the 10 to 12 subjects change for SPM students, that would be 4 backpedals in all.

I wonder who advised PM Najib on all of these. These advisers should be put to pasture before they do more harm to the economy of Malaysia and its people.

Cycling Nude in New Zealand

Is it okay to cycle in the nude, but wearing a helmet is a must? Well, this report from AP-Wire is interesting.

Police picked up two naked men on a late night bike ride in a New Zealand town but let them off with a warning: put on helmets.

"They were wanting to experience total freedom," said Senior Constable Cathy Duder, who stopped the pair about 10 p.m. on a recent night in the beach resort town of Whangamata.

She told them: "You may experience total confinement. You should head home and get helmets."

The duo turned tail and headed directly back to their house, Duder told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Public nudity can attract a charge of offensive behavior in New Zealand, but Duder said she cut the two men a break.

"It was dark and there was no one else around. They were jovial young men who had not intended to cause offense," she added.

She described the two as "happy young men in their mid-20s ... they appeared to be as sober as two judges."

The Dec. 7 encounter, which has only just come to light, probably signaled the start of what Duder described as summer hijinks in Whangamata, a popular surfing and holiday getaway where partying is common during Christmas and New Year season.

So, would you like to hijink to this Whangamata township and cycle in the nude?

Yes? But don't be caught and do wear a helmet for your protection!