PRIME Minister Najib Razak said he does not believe in political interference in government-linked companies (GLC) as long as their practices are aligned with the national agenda.

He, however, said he is around if the companies need his assistance.

“The government isn’t here to impede you (or) to interfere but the government is here to help as long as you’re in line with the national vision, national agenda.

“Now I have given whatever I can to help you. I hope when the time comes you will also help me,” said Najib during a gathering attended by GLCs and Celcom Axiata at Bukit Jalil.

Previously, University of Malaya’s Prof Edmund Terence Gomez had previously said there is a need to remove the finance minister’s portfolio from the prime minister to curb the concentration of power in GLC and government-linked investment companies (GLIC).

According to Gomez, the author of several books and publications on the Malaysian economy and politics, data from 2013 showed that only seven Umno politicians have positions in GLICs and GLCs.

He said, however, the chairman posts in GLCs and GLICs are still dominated by politicians, bureaucrats and former bureaucrats, who answers to the Finance Ministry and the finance minister, Najib, who is also prime minister.

On his concern with youths nationwide, Najib said his top priority after the general election is to ensure the education system in the country will be able to prepare the students with necessary skills to face the digital age towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0).

“To make sure when it comes to our education system and the supporting ecosystems that comes within, we will be able to churn our ppl who will be ready to face the challenges of the digital age.

“For example, Industrial Revolution 4.0, what are the skill sets required to prepare the next generation?” he said.

Industry 4.0 is used to describe the arrival of the digital economy and the utilisation of automation and data exchange in industrial technologies.

When asked about the widening racial gap in the country, Najib admitted that Malaysians are currently living in a “compartmentalised” way and it is partly due to the education system.

“There is no immediate solution to that because we have accepted the various streams as part of or national education.

“We have to live with it and impart certain core values like learning through interaction with one another and mutual respect.

“If you can inculcate all those things then Malaysia will continue to be a country that will develop in a peaceful and harmonious way,” he said adding that Malaysia is a harmonious country despite its diverse society. – February 23, 2018.