PRIME Minister Najib Razak today rubbished claims that Malaysia is bankrupt, pointing to the nation’s 6.2% economic growth in the third quarter of last year as proof.

He said such claims were lies spread by Pakatan Harapan to turn the people against Barisan Nasional, and that the federal government would be unable to give allocations for numerous developments if the nation was in financial turmoil.

“If the country is bankrupt, I would not have approved allocations, including for Sabah, like the RM250 million for the Sabah International Convention Centre.

“If the nation is bankrupt, we would not be able to provide a total of RM3.1 billion for Sabah to build new schools and refurbish dilapidated ones, as well as extend the cash aid to civil servants,” he said at SMK Bandau in Kota Marudu today.

Kota Marudu is Najib’s final stop in his two-day visit to the state, which, along with Sarawak, is regarded as BN’s “fixed deposit”.

The prime minister will return to Kuala Lumpur after visiting the district.

Present were Chief Minister Musa Aman, Deputy Chief Ministers Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Yahya Hussin, Education Minister Mahadzir Khalid and members of the state cabinet.

Najib announced a RM1 million allocation for SMK Bandau, to be used to build three computer labs, at a cost of RM100,000; buy 90 computers and related ICT facilities (RM250,000); buy furniture (RM150,000); and, construct an open hall equipped with a PA system (RM500,000).

He also announced a RM34 million allocation to build a new secondary school, SMK Marak Parak, and another RM5 million to construct a hostel for SMK Tandek.

He said Malaysia, far from being bankrupt, showed all signs of good economic progress, adding that he envisioned the country as placing among the world’s top 20 nations one day.

For this to be made possible, he said, he needed the support of the majority, and that this would take just two hours of Malaysians’ time, every five years.

“This is not a fantasy or just empty talk. BN is not like that, like the opposition, which only spreads lies to win support or become popular.

“The opposition is playing with the people’s sentiments, instilling hate and casting doubt on the government.

“Malaysia cannot be built on a culture of hate and lies. We need to be constructive and objective, and have a clear conscience.”

Najib said Sabah folk should have faith in a government that had a proven track record, and that he understood their sentiments.

He said there were no Malaysian leaders like him, who was willing to ensure that almost 90% of teachers in Sabah were locals, made possible through the devolution of power that he announced in 2015.

“To date, 87.4% of teachers in the state are locals. We have another 2.6% to go to achieve the target,” he said, reiterating his vow to return rights to the state.

He said this was different compared with the 22 years that Dr Mahathir Mohamad was in power, adding that the former prime minister’s recent apology did not mean anything.

“Dr Mahathir has apologised for his past mistakes. But, he has not revealed what he was apologising for.

“What kind of apology is that? It’s not genuine and sincere,” said Najib, who, in Nabawan earlier, said Malaysia did not need a 93-year-old prime minister. – January 19, 2018.