Fitch's rating benefits the people - Najib

The announcement by international agency Fitch Ratings Incorporated which accorded stable prospects to Malaysia compared to the previous negative one will enable the country's revenue to increase, thus benefiting the people directly, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said the people were not fully aware of the effects of ratings on them and especially to the national economy.

"The effect is that when ratings are good, the economy will be more stable, national output and income will increase.

"When revenue increases, it will be easier for the government to implement development projects faster and comprehensively throughout the country," he said.

Najib was speaking at a breaking-of-fast cum donations presentation ceremony to senior citizens at the Kg Merchong Mosque here Saturday.

On Wednesday, Fitch Ratings revised Malaysia's projection to stable, injecting relief into the local market, dissipating worry that the national economy was in a critical state.

Najib said the rating showed that the UMNO and the Barisan Nasional government were successful in keeping the national economy on the right track.

He said the ratings could not have been achieved if the administration of the country was weak.

"If the administration did not have the confidence of a ratings organisation like Fitch, then the government's capabilities would be affected," he said.

Later, Najib joined the mosque congregation for the Maghrib prayers followed by sunat hajat prayers to pray for the Prime Minister's leadership as well as for the 500 residents of Kampung Merchong.

Earlier, Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor helped cook "bubur lambuk" at his home in Seri Kenangan here, to be distributed to the people in the district.

Six non-governmental organisations including the Police Family Association (Perkep), Wives of Civil Servants and Women Civil Servants Association (Puspanita) participated in the "Bubur Lambuk" programme organised by the Pekan Women's Institute (WI) and the Pekan Single Mothers' Association.