Most ETP targets achieved, on track to achieve vision 2020

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is confident that Malaysia is on track to become a developed and high-income nation by 2020, mainly helped by its stable gross domestic product (GDP) growth, low unemployment and inflation rate, as well as steady in-flow of foreign investments.

"This has been achieved despite difficulties in the global economy. Malaysia has been, in many ways, a bright spot amid the gloom. It is against this backdrop that I take pride in sharing the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP)'s progress in helping to transform Malaysia into a high-income and developed nation by 2020," Najib said in his opening note in the 2012 National Transformation Programme Annual Report on Tuesday night.

The much-awaited 2012 National Transformation Programme Annual Report, which some perceive as one of the last major events prior to the dissolution of the Parliament, is an important event -- as it updates the public on the progress of its various transformation programmes.

Najib, in his address, said most of the objectives of the government's transformation plans, including the ETP and Government Transformation Programme (GTP), were achieved.

"GTP, ETP, NKRAs (National Key Result Areas), NKEAs (National Key Economic Areas) and EPPs (Entry Point Projects), were all formulated to improve the lives of all Malaysians in a structured manner.

"Furthermore, all these initiatives , none other than, are steps by the government to enable each and every Malaysian to gain access to the best that life can offer," he said.

Among the key highlights of the 2012 National Transformation Programme Annual Report include:

* Gross National Income per capita rose from US$257 (RM803) in 1957 to US$9,970 (RM18,725) in 2012.

* 1Malaysia People's Assistance (BR1M) will be made an annual initiative. So far, the programme has reached out to over 6 million recipients, with the government allocated more than RM2.3 billion.

* Average Monthly Household Income in Malaysia rose from RM4,025 in 2009 to RM5,000 in 2012.

* Poverty rate reduction from more than 60 per cent in early Merdeka (Independence) to 1.7 per cent in 2012.

* National inflation rate maintained at a low level of 1.2 per cent in December 2012.

* 1Malaysia School Voucher totalling RM524 million benefiting more than 5.24 million school students.

* 1Malaysia Book Vouchers benefiting more than 390,000 students of higher learning institutions with an allocation of more than RM97.5 million.

* Government set aside RM37.8 billion to subsidise people's daily living costs.

* More than 100,000 people were brought out of poverty in three years under the e-Kasih programme.

* Government provided more than 100,000 units of affordable homes to the people.

* Corruption Perception Index by Transparency International placed Malaysia in a better position compared to last year.

* 260 of 400 corruption cases brought to trial disposed off last year.

* Crime rate decreased by 27 percent in three years.

* Almost 50 million visitors to Malaysia in 2011-2012 with gross national income of almost RM100 billion.

* Export sector content and infrastructure, communications and creative industry recorded RM547 million turnover.

* National Gross Income in 2020 projected to reach RM135.64 billion and contribute to more than 400,000 employment opportunities.