PM Najib announces new ways for government to get closer to the people

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today the government is to adopt two new approaches to endear itself to the people - switch bulk aid and bulk subsidy to targeted assistance and targeted subsidy, and do away with protocol when leaders meet the people.

The Prime Minister said targeted assistance or targeted subsidy would ensure that aid for the people reached the targeted groups.

Wastage and leakage occurred in the implementation of bulk subsidy because foreigners and tourists also enjoyed the aid, he said when launching the 'Jom Bantu Rakyat Kuala Selangor' (Let's Help Kuala Selangor Folk) programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Ijok in Bestari Jaya here.

"We want to change bulk aid and bulk subsidy to targeted assistance and targeted subsidy. Bulk aid or bulk subsidy results in much leakage and injustice.

"Who benefits from oil subsidy? Those who own big cars benefit more, the tourists benefit, the migrant workers benefit," he said.

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister and Selangor Barisan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar, Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Dr Irmohizam Ibrahim were also present at the event.

Najib said that if the government could save on oil subsidy, it would be able to use the savings to provide other targeted subsidies for the people.

On the second approach, the BN chairman said the government opted for its leaders to interact with the people without being bound by strict protocol as in the past.

"Even today (during the visit to Sekolah Kebangsaan Ijok), I was welcomed by the people, not with the red carpet and 'bunga manggar' protocol but the sincere enthusiasm of the people.

"This is what I prefer, the sincere welcome of the people," he said.

Najib hit out at the opposition for criticising the government every time fuel prices went up when the rise was actually determined by market forces, but remained silent when the government was able to help raise the palm oil price to

RM3,300 per tonne.

He said the rise in the palm oil price resulted from his visit to China in October last year, when China agreed to increase the purchase of the commodity from Malaysia.

"The price of palm oil rose to RM3,300 per tonne, the price of rubber also tripled. I enquired from a retired teacher who has four hectares of oil palm. He is now earning RM4,000 net a month," he said.

Najib also announced an allocation of RM1.5 million to develop the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia jetty in Kampung Sungai Sembilang as a major agro-tourism hub for the country.

Kuala Selangor had huge potential in agro-tourism which could greatly benefit not only the fishermen there but all the constituents, he said.

"We have to change our mindset to rejuvenate our area. For example, I have provided an allocation of RM1.5 million to develop the Sungai Sembilang jetty as a fishermen's hub. The fishermen can sell their catch instead of going through middlemen.

"This will double the income of the fishermen," he said.

At the event, Najib also launched a National Transformation 2050 (TN50) monument at Sekolah Kebangsaan Ijok as a gesture symbolising the government's vision for the next 30 years.

The Prime Minister also called on a single mother, Mariamah Haji Yaakob, 70, at her home in Kampung Jalan Kemajuan, Batu 8, Ijok, and presented essential goods.

He said he had instructed Irmohizam to look into other forms of aid, including replacing the old zinc roof of Mariamah's house. -- BERNAMA