Malaysia has to face new challenge of geopolitics - Najib

Malaysia is monitoring closely the geopolitical developments taking place in the world so that decisions and measures taken are in accordance with the country's interests, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The Prime Minister referred to the Gulf crisis, the threat of North Korea's ballistic missile tests and the United Kingdom elections that resulted in a hung parliament as some of the geopolitical uncertainties that had attracted worldwide attention.

"These are besides the threat of violent extremism that is a major challenge for us. We also realise that there is a new and more serious risk that we have to deal with, that is the geopolitical risk," he told a press conference after chairing a meeting of the UMNO Supreme Council at Menara Dato' Onn here Friday.

Earlier this week, the world was shocked by the decision of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Maldives to break off diplomatic relations with Qatar alleging its financing of the Daish militant group.

Najib also said that the world was experiencing positive economic growth and Malaysia also recorded an encouraging economic performance in the first quarter of this year, namely 5.6 per cent growth compared to 4.1 per cent in the corresponding period last year.

Meanwhile, on the Pujut by-election, the Prime Minister said that he would be meeting Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg soon to determine the most suitable candidate for the Barisan Nasional (BN).

At the same time, Najib also said that preparations for the 14th General Election were running smoothly.

In other matters, he said UMNO's membership was on the rise.

"This is a very positive development, many individuals are coming in voluntarily to UMNO offices to register as members, On average about 300 people a day, this is something that we have not seen before," he said.

Earlier, before chairing the meeting, Najib had given away prizes to 17 winners of a lucky draw held in conjunction with UMNO's 71st anniversary celebration at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here on May 11.

Kuala Terengganu UMNO member Saifuldhari Abu Bakar took home the grand prize, a Proton Perdana 2.4L car.

-- BERNAMA