Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he recognised the growing importance of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to assume new responsibility, be more assertive and play pro-active role in nation building.
Speaking at the Federation of Malaysia Lim Association's 30th anniversary celebration on Friday night Najib said time had changed the roles of NGOs, especially the Chinese NGOs, from its traditional roles, like what the Federation of Malaysia Lim Association had shown.
For example, he said, through a partnership between the government, the Lim Association and the Malaysian Chinese Women Foundation (MCWF), the government was able to help Chinese women entrepreneurs to get microcredit amounting to RM30 million.
Najib said the Lim Association and the MCWF had even successfully administered the loan distributions and collecting the loan repayments.
"I'm happy to note that this unique partnership between the government and the Lim Association, as well as MCWF, has succeeded beyond my expectation and has helped thousands of women in particular to start their own businesses or expand their businesses," he said.
Najib said he believed such a partnership could become a template for future endeavours in any ventures or fields.
"If the NGOs can work with the government in the spirit of true partnership, a combination of government and NGO will then be a formidable force to help people and shape the future of the nation," he said.
He said the Lim Association executive adviser Tan Sri SP Lim had also been very helpful in finding solutions to help the government in solving the problems encountered by the taxi drivers' association, as well as the lorry drivers' association.
"We do believe in dialogue and consultation to solve a problem, but if you choose confrontation and demonstration, it will only lead to negative outcome," he added.
"We have seen many countries where people have opted for radical solution to go out to the street to demonstrate and try to change the government in that manner but businesses suffer, people suffer...instead of progress they get regression instead of prosperity they get misery," said Najib.
He also reminded the Lim Association members not to forget that they came to Malaysia a few generations ago to seek a better life and enjoy better life today.
"A better life because you worked hard as loyal Malaysian citizens but it is also because the government has provided and implemented the right set of policies in this country.
"It was also because the government of today has been able to get all the races to work together to live harmoniously and we have the future that was full of certainties and exciting possibilities," he said.
"Do not gamble away, do not throw it away. You can destroy things overnight, what took years or even generations to build. We have a beautiful nation and Malaysia is our home. It is a home to all of us, to me and all the Lims in this country, this is our home," he added.
At the event Najib also witnessed the installation of the association's new office bearers and launched the association's Needy Students Grant.
The event was also attended by Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai and Deputy Minister of Information Communication and Culture, Datuk Maglin Dennis D'Cruz.
Speaking at the Federation of Malaysia Lim Association's 30th anniversary celebration on Friday night Najib said time had changed the roles of NGOs, especially the Chinese NGOs, from its traditional roles, like what the Federation of Malaysia Lim Association had shown.
For example, he said, through a partnership between the government, the Lim Association and the Malaysian Chinese Women Foundation (MCWF), the government was able to help Chinese women entrepreneurs to get microcredit amounting to RM30 million.
Najib said the Lim Association and the MCWF had even successfully administered the loan distributions and collecting the loan repayments.
"I'm happy to note that this unique partnership between the government and the Lim Association, as well as MCWF, has succeeded beyond my expectation and has helped thousands of women in particular to start their own businesses or expand their businesses," he said.
Najib said he believed such a partnership could become a template for future endeavours in any ventures or fields.
"If the NGOs can work with the government in the spirit of true partnership, a combination of government and NGO will then be a formidable force to help people and shape the future of the nation," he said.
He said the Lim Association executive adviser Tan Sri SP Lim had also been very helpful in finding solutions to help the government in solving the problems encountered by the taxi drivers' association, as well as the lorry drivers' association.
"We do believe in dialogue and consultation to solve a problem, but if you choose confrontation and demonstration, it will only lead to negative outcome," he added.
"We have seen many countries where people have opted for radical solution to go out to the street to demonstrate and try to change the government in that manner but businesses suffer, people suffer...instead of progress they get regression instead of prosperity they get misery," said Najib.
He also reminded the Lim Association members not to forget that they came to Malaysia a few generations ago to seek a better life and enjoy better life today.
"A better life because you worked hard as loyal Malaysian citizens but it is also because the government has provided and implemented the right set of policies in this country.
"It was also because the government of today has been able to get all the races to work together to live harmoniously and we have the future that was full of certainties and exciting possibilities," he said.
"Do not gamble away, do not throw it away. You can destroy things overnight, what took years or even generations to build. We have a beautiful nation and Malaysia is our home. It is a home to all of us, to me and all the Lims in this country, this is our home," he added.
At the event Najib also witnessed the installation of the association's new office bearers and launched the association's Needy Students Grant.
The event was also attended by Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai and Deputy Minister of Information Communication and Culture, Datuk Maglin Dennis D'Cruz.
