SERDANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the appointment of Capt Izham Ismail as the new Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) Group CEO designate is a proud moment for all Malaysians.
He said the people should be beaming with pride that a fellow Malaysian has been tasked to helm the national airline.
Najib said the Opposition will, however, make a fuss out of it as they are always bent on criticising whatever the government is doing.
In an apparent reference to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who blamed the prime minister for interfering in the affairs of Malaysia Airlines, Najib said “nothing is right as far as that old man is concerned”.
“I was criticised when I appointed (Christoph) Muller as MAB chief executive officer.
“But now when (Peter) Bellew is leaving, I was also criticised.
“They (the Opposition) always try to criticise whatever we do,” he said when speaking at the Malaysia Chinese Youth Summit in Wisma Huazong Saturday.
Speaking to some 1,000 Malaysian Chinese youths from all over the country, the prime minister conceded that there are weaknesses and shortcomings in the government.
However, in enlightening the audience on government policies, he said the people must also look at the good things that the ruling administration have done for the country.
“If we work together, we can make it if better and bring Malaysia to greater heights,” he said.
The prime minister touched on a myriad of matters and issues, including false stories making its rounds in social media; the economic growth in spite of weakened ringgit; the uptrend of the central bank’s foreign reserves; Malaysia’s position in Asean as among the most affordable country; more affordable housing including homes built by the private sector; government aid in building more Chinese schools; and Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50).
He also explained that Malaysian civil service is not bloated as portrayed as it also included 450,000 teachers, 175,000 policemen and 115,000 soldiers.
The prime minister pointed out that unlike in other countries, these individuals are also defined as civil servants, hence the wrong perception that the civil service is bloated.
Najib also reassured that more good things are ahead for the country as the government enjoys a congenial relationship with major countries.
He added his good relations with many leaders such as Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud, United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, had benefitted the country.
When Najib was asked when the 14th General Election would be held, he remained coy, and simply stated that there are many factors to take into account.
“It will come, it’s just a question of time,” he said.
Also present at the function was Transport Minister and MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.