KUALA LUMPUR: The Perikatan Nasional government is committed to fulfill 10 pledges to the people, most of which had already started since it came into power six months ago.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the government, formed as a result of an unprecedented political crisis had successfully pulled through as a functional Cabinet to safeguard the interests of the people.
He said the 10 crucial foundations served as directions for the government in upholding its commitment towards the people.
"We faced an unprecedented health crisis of a global scale from the get go and Covid-19 was a test for us as there was no reference point on steps taken to address the pandemic.
"Alhamdulillah, with high commitment of the government and frontliners, as well discipline shown by the people, we managed to contain the virus albeit not fully. We are among the successful countries in doing so," he said in his keynote address at PN convention to assess its achievements, hopes and challenges after six months in power.
Muhyiddin said factors contributing to this success was the stern action taken by the authorities, which saw closure of all sectors such as businesses, factories and schools, to the point that no public movement was allowed.
The second foundation, he said, was to provide economic protection to the people through among others the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package (Prihatin) and the economic recovery plan (Penjana) which a whopping RM295 billion allocated by the government, as well as the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.
"Third, the PN government will also give priority on Bumiputera Agenda as the national agenda. In order to improve participation among bumiputera, the government has established Majlis Kemakmuran Bumiputera (Bumiputera Prosperity Council) that I will chair.
"Fourth, PN government will also focus on digitalisation of the country through National Digital Infrastructure Plan (Jalinan Digital Negara or Jendela) under 12th Malaysia Plan as I've announced in Sabah recently.
"This is inevitable, and Covid-19 has only spurred and speed this (plan) up."
The fifth foundation, Muhyiddin said the government would focus on ensuring sufficient food supply as its main core through the Cabinet committee on food security policies.
The sixth foundation, he said, was to focus on fighting corruption and institutional reforms which had been his commitment since he was in the previous government.
He said the seventh pledge would see the government giving emphasis on education, with priority on improving the facilities, producing skilled and high moral as well as preparing the sector to face challenges in virtual learning, among others.
"Eighth, reformation in health sector will also be a priority for Perikatan Nasional. Covid-19 pandemic which hit the world and the country was really challenging in testing the quality and preparedness of the country's health system.
"Security aspect and public order will also be given priority by the Perikatan Nasional government. The people must feel safe to stay here.
"Efforts to reduce crime rate, guarding the borders from trespassing, protecting the country's sovereignty, fighting terrorism and addressing the illegal immigrant problems will be given priority by the government and tenthly, racial unity and harmony among the multi-religious society will be continued to be nurtured and defended."
He said the government managed to deliver even without a manifesto and benchmark to assess the its achievement.
However, the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president stressed that "this doesn't mean that there was no accountability."
"As a leader it is important, and as Muslim I have a responsibility to the people.
"I leave it to the people to evaluate the government's achievement.
"It is not my right to say whether we've done a good job," he said at the convention held to summarise the coalition's achievements after it came to power six months ago.
Muhyiddin said the responsibility he was shouldering was a test for him, which is based on the principles that must not be compromised, with utmost priority given on protecting the people regardless of the races and religions.
"I will not compromise on integrity. I will not trade my integrity to protect (my) position and posts.
"I have been ousted from the government for defending the truth. There is no way I will allow this when I'm back in the government."
He said that the loan moratorium, special aids for small-medium enterprises (SMEs), wage subsidy, electricity bill discounts and other initiatives under the economic stimulus packages were proof of the government's concern for the people.
"The Perikatan Nasional is a government that cares for the people.
"If needed, Insya-Allah, the government will implement a few more initiatives including the additional economic stimulus package to help the people."