Wednesday December 13, 2006
PM: Good 3 years but more to be done
BANGKOK: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says he has reason to be happy with his achievements since becoming Prime Minister three years ago, but wants to do more to narrow certain lopsidedness in development in both human and physical infrastructure.
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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi |
Abdullah, who took over from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Oct 31, 2003, said this in an interview with Bangkok Post editor-in-chief Pichai Chuensuksawadi at his residence in Putrajaya.
He said it was not an easy passage as he had tabled the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) and the National Mission on March 31 this year, and only at the end of May had the Lower and Upper Houses endorsed the plan.
“It took time to plan the 9MP. It is not something I could think of off the top of my head. I had to think very, very hard. This plan must be able to take us to Vision 2020, especially the National Mission. I must aim for 2020,” he said.
“We must view the three five-year plans as continuity, one after another, for this period of 15 years is the National Mission.”
Abdullah said more had to be done regarding human capital development although the process would be difficult.
“Human capital to me ... in terms of people, they must be mentally, physically, spiritually and morally strong. I believe in that,” he said.
“There are many people who are clever but who are cheats, who are rogues, who abuse power, who are corrupt. I don’t want that. If you are clever, you must be a good man.”
Besides different types of training, including for students who had finished their schooling in order to be ready for the workplace, Abdullah said the curriculum from primary to tertiary education would also be looked into.
Another thing that Abdullah said he was trying to do was to reduce the development gaps, as there were certain areas, like in the north, Kelantan and Terengganu, which were not doing well, unlike the Klang Valley, which was most progressive.
“There is a certain lopsidedness in development in both human and physical infrastructure. This includes the opportunities. I always believe in quality opportunities,” he said.
Citing education as an example, Abdullah said the same quality education must be provided to children in both rural and urban areas, with adequate books and trained teachers.
“I cannot achieve our Vision 2020 if we have this lopsided development,” he said. – Bernama
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