Malaysian new PM to continue current policies

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, November 04, 2003

Malaysian new PM to continue current policies

Malaysia's new Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Monday said that he will continue the policies that have been laid out by the leaders who came before him.

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Malaysia's new Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Monday said that he will continue the policies that have been laid out by the leaders who came before him.

The Vision 2020 will continue to inspire and drive the nation to become a developed country by year 2020, Abdullah said when tabling a motion of thanks to his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad in the Lower House here.

His speech, with the theme of "Inheriting Success and Building a Future of Excellence, Glory and Distinction", was his maiden official speech as prime minister.

Abdullah was sworn in Friday as the fifth Malaysian prime minister, taking over from Mahathir Mohamad who had been at the helm of the nation for 22 years.

The prime minister said that the spirit of power sharing, which is the core of the nation's system of governance and nation-building efforts, will continue to be strengthened.

He said that the practice of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy will continue to be supported by respecting the separation of powers between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary as this is important to maintain the checks and balances needed to prevent abuses of power.

Abdullah said: "I have inherited the responsibility of governing a successful country. The responsibility is heavy and I cannot do it alone."

"Therefore, I seek the cooperation and support from all -- legislators, administrators, the private sector, political parties,the media and from Malaysian citizens from all walks of life to work with me to take Malaysia to greater heights -- to achieve excellence, glory and distinction."

The prime minister also said that the success inherited cannot be continued if creativity and innovation do not become part of the nation's culture.

He stressed that human resource development has to be enhanced to ensure that the growth of Malaysians balances physical, mental and spiritual aspects.

Abdullah said that in a knowledge-based economy, people are themost important factor. "Therefore, the government will work towards providing quality education for each and every Malaysian to reach their full potential."

Mahathir, the veteran leader, 77, announced his decision of retirement in June last year. However, he later agreed to postponehis retirement till October this year to ensure smooth transition of power. As the same time, he appointed Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as his successor.

The Malaysians see Mahathir as a national hero for pulling a rubber and tin-producing Malaysia out of the mist of British colonial rule and charting a course to become one of Southeast Asia's most modern and wealthiest countries.

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