PM: Ridiculous to claim economy is failing

Proud moment: Najib at the handing-over ceremony with (from left) Naza Group managing director S.M. Faliq S.M. Nasimuddin, S.M. Nasarudin, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Naza World Group executive chairman Datuk S.M. Faisal S.M. Nasimuddin.

KUALA LUMPUR: The claim by certain groups that the country’s economy is failing is ridiculous as many of the Government’s plans have been delivered to Malaysians, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“It is just ridiculous to claim that our economy is failing, as some in the Opposition do.

“The World Bank recently reported that Malaysia’s economy is progressing from a position of strength.

“And that strength has been built, and will continue to be guaranteed, by the efforts of this Government and the Malaysian people,” said Najib at the handing over ceremony of the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MiTEC) last night.

MiTEC is a public-private partnership with the Government.

The RM628mil facility was developed by Naza TTDI Sdn Bhd, the property arm of Naza Group (Naza Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd).

It is designed to meet the growing demands of the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) industry.

Najib praised Naza Group for completing the project within budget and on time, and said with the handing over of the building to the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti), the Government would promote it as a venue of choice and encourage major national and international events to be held here.

MiTEC, said Najib, has set an example as it was the first building within the new RM20bil high-impact mixed-development KL Metropolis here in Persiaran Dutamas.

This new “city within a city”, spread over 30ha, will feature office towers, banking facilities, luxury condominiums and lifestyle malls that are planned to make KL Metropolis the destination for the MICE industry.

Last year, he said, the Malaysian MICE industry attracted 111,298 delegates to 153 events and generated RM1.04bil in revenue.

He also said MiTEC will be operational in time for the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games and 2017 Para Asean Games. Nine SEA Games events, including rhythmic gymnastics, weight-lifting, fencing and indoor hockey will be held at the venue.

Earlier , Naza Group of companies joint group executive chairman SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin said the group took pride in the completion of the facility, proving its ability to undertake major turnkey infrastructure projects.