Casa Tropicana

Happy New Year Barack Obama

Barack Obama	12:38 AM (1 hour ago)
to me

Naim, On January 1st, our nation turns a corner on health care -- and we're never going back. From here on, no American should have to go broke just because they get sick. You can't be dropped from your plan when you need it most. Pre-existing conditions will never prevent someone from getting coverage, and women can't be charged more than men for their plans. And for millions of Americans, affordable, quality coverage is finally within reach. I am so proud of that. And I have people like you to thank, Naim. Fundamental change like this doesn't happen just because people believe it's the right thing to do. It happens because people like you, and organizations like OFA, fight for it -- no matter how hard it gets. That's why we don't just fight the good fight -- we stay at it until we win. Today, I'm asking you to make a commitment -- 2014 should be a year of action. Pledge to keep fighting for change with OFA: Thank you so much -- and happy new year. Barack

Christmas day in Bangsar with the Razak Clan

Christmas Cheer and a Happy New Year

Datuk Naim Mohamad, Chairman Organising Committee

Christmas cheer and a happy new year

Naim bin Mohamad

Our Kuala Lumpur Mayor might not be Santa Clause, but on the eve of Christmas Day, he brought presents for the children of Malaysia. His gift of agreeing to free the busiest streets of Kuala Lumpur for four hours a month for 12 months from vehicles is a bold step of a journey of thousand miles. To balance the rapid development of a city of a developing nation and at the same time to safe its ecosystem is not an easy task. It needs wisdom and courage.

By having a car free morning monthly, the first step is being taken. Carbon emissions are reduced. Greenhouse effect is reduced,  global warming in some way is also reduced. With the effort in planting trees in the city. They provide the cooling effect and also provide the oxygen required by the habitats. Abnormal weather conditions can be avoided and also flooding controlled. This is only the first step, when there is acceptance and support, than more can be done. This step by step evolving and educational program will be successful as compared to a quick fix or revolutionary methods.

Lately the world has been struck by seismic climate change, typhoon haiyan, snow in the middle-east and even the recent bad floods in Malaysia's east coast. It should be ample notice to the human kind to look after their earth.

In a small way, we are about to practise and implement what our Prime Minister Dato’  Sri Najib had declared that Malaysia will reduce its carbon dioxide emission by 40%  by the year 2020  compared to 2005 levels subject to assistance from the developed countries at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen on the 17^th December, 2009.

Going green, going car free, increase public transportation is the way forward to preserve mother earth and we are blessed that we together had taken the first step. My dream at long last had come through and soon we hope to have car free days, an upgrade from the car free mornings maybe every Sunday of the week.

We want Malaysians to be extra aware and take extra care of their surroundings and extra conscious of their children’s future environment.

Certainly there will be detractors and some who will object because they are not willing to sacrifice the four hours a month to stop burning fuel and contributing pollution to the atmosphere. Or they will give an excuse that it will disrupt their business and their movements, when public transport and taxis will still ply their routes. When the program is fixed and people slowly becoming aware, they will adjust and take measures so as not to be inconvenienced themselves. Tourists and visitors will not be affected because this had already been implemented in the busiest part of Jakarta for every Sunday every week since a few years ago along Jalan Sudirman and Jalan Thamrin leading to the Monumen Nasional (MONAS).

In Malaysia, if I am not mistaken, Penang is already having their Sunday rides along Beach Street every Sunday.

For the inaugural event on the 5th January, 2014. Not all the roads mentioned will be totally closed. We understand truly well the course of the route that is being planned so as not to disrupt the livelihood of the city dwellers and the commercial activities and also the hotel guests. We also had taken into account the visitors to the commercial business district.

Please refer to figure 1.

The lap of honor for the Car Free Morning which is a rolling closure will cover Jalan Raja Laut which starts at Menara 1 DBKL into Jalan Sultan Ismail into Jalan Ampang into Jalan P Ramlee into Jalan Pinang into Jalan Raja Chulan into Jalan Imbi into Jalan Sultan Ismail straight down into Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and right into Jalan Tun Perak and back into Jalan Raja Laut. This event will start at 7.30 am and will end at about 8.00 am. From 8.00 am onwards all these roads mentioned except for Jalan Raja Laut and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman will already be open to the public.

(Rolling closure means as the pedestrians, joggers, roller bladders, roller skaters and cyclists pass the road, the road opens to vehicles).

The Car free Morning Criterium loop which will be total closure will cover Jalan Raja Laut from the junction of Jalan Parlimen into Jalan Semarang into Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman into Jalan Tun Perak and back into Jalan Raja Laut. The Start and finish is opposite Menara DBKL 1. These roads will be closed from 7.30 am to 9.30 am.  By the time employees come to work and shops/Malls open for business, these roads will already be open.

After the lap of honor of about half an hour which is about 6 kms, participants will enjoy the criterium circuit which is about not more than 2 kms for another one and a half hours for their leisure and pleasure.

Hotel, Business Premise and Condominium management will need to issue circulars to their guests and tenants so that road users will have proper notice of the closures. We have applied to DBKL to also have temporary road closure notice bill boards at the affected areas and Buntings along the route should give good notice of the event (subject to the availability of sponsors for the boards and buntings).

We are seeking the help of the print and electronic media and also radio stations to make repeated public announcements so that residents, road users, visitors and the public will be made aware of the event.

Whilst we want to be a developed Nation and hope to enjoy the benefits, I am very sure we wouldn’t want to do it at the expense of our future generation.

Figure 1

Thumbs up for car-free move

By C. PREMANANTHINI | streets@nst.com.my

LAUDABLE: City Hall’s ‘Go Green Car Free Morning’ programme encourages the people to use public transport, besides reducing the carbon footprints in the city

KUALA LUMPUR: CITY folk welcome the "Go Green Car Free Morning" programme announced by  City Hall recently.

In the proposal, a 6km loop, starting from Jalan Dang Wangi to the Golden Triangle area via Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Imbi, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, will be closed to motorised traffic between 7.30am and 9.30am every first Sunday of the month.

Sharifah Nur Fasihah Syed Omar, 25, a food outlet manager, said she supports City Hall for introducing the campaign which can help to reduce the carbon emission in the city.

Sharifah Nur Fasihah said she has been driving for the past seven years and the increasing volume of vehicles in the city has worsened the traffic congestion.

"With this initiative, it would at least reduce the road congestion here and also the pollution in the city.

"The Golden Triangle area is one of the busiest in the city and now with the construction of the Mass Rapid Transit, it has only aggravated the traffic congestion.

"However, the car-free duration may be too short to have an impact. The council should at least extend it to a day and if it is successful, City Hall should implement this campaign on a weekly basis," she said.

Sharifah Nur Fasihah said although it may be just a trial run, she hoped City Hall will introduce the initiative in other areas like Central Market and Petaling Street.

Nurfardilla Sukeman, a senior human resource officer from Putrajaya who works in a recruitment company, said this is the first time she has come across such a campaign.

She said it is a good move by the authority which will help keep the environment clean.

Nurfardilla said City Hall should have introduced such a campaign earlier as it would reduce the traffic congestion.

"This campaign may encourage more people to use public transport. It would be great if they can do this every week and with longer hours.

"I have been driving for six years and it is exasperating having to face the traffic crawl almost every day, and sometimes on a weekend, too," she said.

Nurfardilla hoped that the campaign can be expanded to other places like Puduraya and Wangsa Maju.

Architect, Foo Man Jack, 35, from Bukit Tinggi, Klang, said the effort taken by the City Hall was good.

He was happy to know that the authority has taken effective measures to reduce the carbon footprints in the city.

"We had introduced many environmental campaigns but many did not turn out well.

"The reason is because of our lackadaisical attitude towards environmental conservation.

"I believe this is the only way to marshal public support to help reduce the carbon emission in the country.

"This campaign should also be introduced to other cities and towns, especially where there is easy access to public transport," he said.

K. Thanavathi, who works in an accounting firm in Puchong, said although the move to reduce pollution is laudable, closing the roads for a few hours might, however, affect the business in the area.

She said the authority should discuss with the business operators there before implementing the move.

"However, it is certainly a good move to encourage the people to use public transport," she added.

Ucapan Y Bhg Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur diacara Kuala Lumpur Extravaganza

Y Bhg datuk Seri Hj Ahmad Phesal bin Haji Talib

Saya mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mengucapkan terima kasih kepada para hadirin sekalian yang telah sempat hadir untuk menyaksikan majlis pelancaran Program Kuala Lumpur Extravaganza atau secara sengkatnya dikenali sebagai KL Xtra.

Saya juga ingin mengucapkan Selamat Hari Krismas kepada semua warga kota yang akan meraikan Krismas pada esok hari.

Terima kasih kepada Jabatan Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Sukan yang telah dapat mengatur satu program yang sangat bermakna untuk membuka tirai tahun 2014.

KL Xtra dilaksanakan agar Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur sebagai ibu Kota Malaysia akan dapat memainkan peranan yang efektif bagi menyambut pelancaran Tahun Melawat Malaysia yang akan berlangsung sehari sebelumnya di Dataran Merdeka. Sebagai pintu masuk utama Malaysia, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur mengalu alukan banjiran pengunjung dari luar Negara yang akan menikmati kedamaian, kesejahteraan, kemesraan dan persahabatan warga kota yang akan menerima tetamu tetamu Negara ini.

Kuala Lumpur sebagai Bandaraya Taman dan Bercahaya  (The Green City of Lights) yang telah diktiraf sebagai salah satu pusat terkemuka membeli belah didunia akan memainkan peranan yang penting untuk menjayakan Tahun Melawat Malaysia 2014 untuk merangsangkan ekonomi Bandaraya dan warga kota nya.

Selain daripada Acara kesukanan yang akan berlangsung dijalanraya dan persekitaran kawasan lapang disegitiga emas Kuala Lumpur, saya difahamkan Acara Acara kebudayaan dan kesenian akan berlangsung di Gedung Gedung beli belah terkemuka saperti Suria KLCC, Starhill Gallery, Lot 10, Sungai Wang Plaza, Plaza Low Yat dan Berjaya Times Square.

Di Kompleks Kraftangan Malaysia kita akan menganjurkan pertandingan mewarna yang akan melibatkan lebih kurang dua ribu anak warga kota yang akan bersaing dengan thema menjaga alam sekitar (Car Free Morning) dan tahun melawat Malaysia. Acara ini akan dikelolakan oleh Perpustakaan DBKL Kuala Lumpur.

Di Kompleks Kraftangan Malaysia juga saya akan menjamu lebih kurang 200 peserta Mega Fam yang sedang berada diKuala Lumpur untuk menghadiri pelancaran Tahun Melawat Malaysia dan juga untuk mereka mengambil bahagian didalam percitakan batek, bermain congkak dan sepaktakraw bulatan. Mereka juga akan dapat menyaksikan kekayaan kraftangan Malaysia yang dipamerkan disitu.

Saya ingin mengucapkan terima kasih kepada semua participating malls yang dengan sukarela memberi kerjasama dan sokongan untuk menjayakan program ini.

Tuan Tuan dan Puan Puan sekalian,

KL Xtra juga dilaksanakan untuk melancarkan Program Car Free Morning dimana jalan paling sibuk diBandaraya ini ia itu Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman dan Jalan Raja Laut akan ditutup untuk Acara Acara bebas kenderaan seperti pejalan kaki, pelari (joggers), skate boarders, roller bladders dan pengayuh pengayuh  basikal lebuhraya, basikal bukit (mountain bike), basikal BMX, basikal Fixie and Folders. Ini akan dilaksanakan selamat empat jam setiap pagi Ahad pertama setiap bulan.

Untuk Acara pelancaran Car Free Morning tahun 2014 ini, pada hari Ahad pertama bulan Januari   ia itu pada 5hb Januari, 2014  satu lap of honour berbasikal akan dianjurkan dimana para peserta boleh berpeluang untuk berkayuh basikal, berlari, ber roller blade dijalan raya SEGITIGA EMAS Kuala Lumpur (Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur) dari jam 7-00 pagi hingga 8-00 pagi.

Secara rolling closure, peserta akan bermula dari Dataran Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur melalui Jalan Raja Laut, masuk kanan keJalan Sultan Ismail, masuk kiri ke Jalan Ampang, masuk kanan keJalan P Ramlee, masuk kiri keJalan Pinang, masuk kiri keJalan Raja Chulan, masuk kanan keJalan Imbi, masuk kanan keJalan Sultan Ismail hingga masuk kiri keJalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, masuk kanan diJalan Parlimen dan balek ke tempat permulaan, satu lingkaran lebih kurang 6 km.

Dari jam 8-00 pagi hingga 9-30 pagi, Jalan Raja Laut hingga simpang masuk keJalan Semarang dan masuk kanan ke Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman hingga Jalan Parlimen dan balek semula ke Jalan Raja Laut akan ditutup sepenuhnya kepada Kenderaan sebagai Kriterium Loop Car Free Morning (Pagi  Bebas Kenderaan).

Allah telah mencipta alam ini seimbang untuk kemakmuran munusia. Bumi yang luas dijadikan tempat tinggal manusia, gunung-gunung sebagai pemasak bumi, tumbuh-tumbuhan sebagai sumber makanan dan ubatan kepada kehidupan, demikian juga dengan pelbagai jenis haiwan dan hidupan di lautan. Alam sekitar yang tidak tercemar memberikan kita suasana yang selesa dan menyamankan. Di samping memberi keselesaan kepada manusia, persekitaran yang bersih membolehkan kita menyedut udara yang segar. Udara yang bersih merupakan nikmat yang sangat bernilai kepada kehidupan manusia.

Udara  alam sekitar kita yang bersih dan segar juga membolehkan kita menikmati keselesaan. Kita akan berasa selesa jika tiada pencemaran di persekitaran kita.

Cuaca panas dan kering yang disebabkan oleh kenaikan suhu dapat dielakkan dan membolehkan kita menjalani kehidupan dalam keadaan cuaca yang baik. Melalui persekitaran yang segar dan nyaman juga, orang ramai boleh melakukan aktiviti luar dan beriadah tanpa gangguan yang boleh menimbulkan perasaan rimas marah dan tidak selesa. Aktivti riadah yang dijalankan dalam keadaan bersih akan meningkatkan tahap kesihatan kita.

Kuala Lumpur sebagai Bandaraya Taman dengan tumbuhan hijau bukan sahaja memberikan suasana persekitaran yang sejuk dan nyaman, malah berfungsi untuk menstabilkan suhu persekitaran. Ia juga bertujuan mengurangkan kesan pemanasan global melalui penyerapan karbon dioksida. Akhirnya, pemanasan global dapat dikawal dan akan dapat menstabilkan ekosistem persekitaran. Penjagaan sumber-sumber alam sekitar seperti pokok-pokok akan dapat membendung pelbagai masalah, sebagai contoh hutan mengawal hakisan tanah dan banjir.

Di samping itu, alam sekitar yang bersih akan dapat meningkatkan ekonomi negara. Bandaraya yang bersih dan mengandungi nilai kedamaian akan dapat menarik perhatian pelancong asing.

Kedatangan pelancong asing ke dalam negara kita akan meningkatkan nilai tukaran wang asing, dan ini akan dapat memajukan perkembangan ekonomi negara kita. Selain itu, kedatangan pelancong juga dapat memajukan sektor perkhimatan dan sektor perniagaan serta menawarkan peluang perkerjaan kepada masyarakat. Imej negara kita juga akan dapat ditingkatkan.

Langkah pertama yang diambil oleh DBKL ini diharapkan akan mendapat sokongan positif dari warga kota dan juga pengguna jalanraya serta pemunya kenderaan. Pengorbanan kita selama empat jam sebulan setiap bulan akan menjadi langkah yang pertama (First Step in a journey of thousand miles) didalam usaha kita untuk mengimbangi pembangunan yang deras dan pesat dan juga dimasa yang sama untuk menjaga alam sekitar kita untuk generasi mendatang.

Program ini bukanlah satu program yang luar biasa, tetapi satu program yang telah dilaksanakan oleh beberapa Bandaraya di Dunia dan juga pihak berkuasa tempatan didalam Negara kita sendiri. Semoga usaha yang murni ini akan dapat diperhebatkan lagi dan ditambah nilai nya dimasa masa yang akan datang.

Kepada pihak media citak dan elektronik saya mohon kerjasama penoh agar Acara ini akan dapat disebarkan secara meluas dan kerap supaya warga kota dan pengguna jalanraya akan maklum mengenai program yang akan dilaksanakan dan supaya mereka boleh mengatur serta merancang perjalanan mereka supaya tidak tersekat dengan Acara yang sedang berlangsong di Ibu Kota Kuala Lumpur pada hari yang berkenaan.

KL Xtra diharap akan dapat membenihkan aktibiti gaya hidup sihat, extra care for your health,  extra conscious of your surrounding and environment, extra awareness. Kita juga hendak warga kota extra friendly, extra safe dan extra united. Semoga dengan perpaduan dan persefahaman yang ujud, Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur akan bertambah maju dan menjadi persekitaran yang sihat dan sempurna untuk penghuni dan pengunjung.

Dengan ini dengan lafaz  Bismillahhirrahmanirrahim saya melancarkan Kuala Lumpur Xtra dan Kuala Lumpur Car Free Morning sempena tahun Melawat Malaysia 2014.

Pelancaran KL Xtra sempena Tahun Melawat Malaysia dan Car Free Morning Kuala Lumpur

 Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur menyampaikan ucapan pelancaran

 Datuk Bandar KL mengumumkan Car Free Morning setiap Ahad pertama

 Datuk bandar KL memotong pita bunting pelancaran

 Kuala Lumpur Extravaganza dengan rasminya dilancarkan

 Sumbangan basikaln dari Polygon

 Sumbangan Promosi dan Pengiklanan Warisan Ad

Sumbangan Tiket penerbangan dari Malindo Air

Kunjung hormat kepada Tuan Nik Danial Nik Mahmood, Vice President Two Wheels Division, Harley-Davidson of Kuala Lumpur

Naim bersama Nik Danial

Sempena program Kuala Lumpur Extravaganza yang akan berlangsong pada 5hb Januari, 2014 mereka yang bernasib baik yang mengikuti siran radio akan berpeluang memenangi barangan merchandise dari Harley-Davidson of Kuala Lumpur apabila dengan betul menjawab soalan soalan yang akan diajukan oleh pengacara radio.

Terima kasih kepada NAZA Prestige Bikes Sdn Bhd yang telah bermurah hati untuk melaksanakan advertising dan promotion exercise ini untuk warga kota Lembah Kelang.

Kunjong hormat dengan Y A Bhg Tan Sri Dato Seri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin

Disiaran Laporan Sukan Sea ke 27 di Myanmar, Seri Pentas, Selangor Darul Ehsan

 Abu Bakar Atan, Lokman, Mr Nathan, Naim, Dato Amrin Awaluddin dan Tabah

 Lokman, Tabah, Naim dan Aishah

 Lokman dan Naim

Lunch discussion for the night cycling event in Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the OCBC Cycle Malaysia

Mr Chris Robb, Puan Norazah, Datuk Naim, Zarina and Lawrence

Sepetang bersama Setiausaha Agong Majlis Perunding Melayu Dato Dr Hasan Mad

Kunjung hormat MPM dengan Pimpinan Supply Chain Petroliam Nasional Berhad diKLCC

Tuan Hj Ariffin Md Nor, Puan Norliza Nawi, Dato Dr Hasan Mad,

En Rashid Yusof, Datuk Naim Mohamad, En Lius Mat Yusof,

En Rozhan Anwar Abdul halim dan Puan Faridah Abd Jabbar

Sepetang bersama Delegasi Antarabangsa yang menghadiri Forum Moderate UMNO di Matic

 Diantara delegasi  dari 30 wakil Parti dari 23 Negara

 En Mohmed Razip, Datuk Hj Mustapha, Dato' Mirza dan Datuk Naim

 Datuk Naim Mohamad bersama Tuan Mohmed Razip Hasan

Mr Aaron Gan, Nurfirza Khalid, Naim, Azfillah A Aziz dan Rosmaizura

Meeting with SME CORP, a Malay Consultative Council Initiative

At the Moderates Seminar in conjunction with UGA 2013

YAB Dato Sri Najib on the politics of moderation

1. Thank you very much, and on behalf of all Malaysians let me offer you the warmest of welcomes. For those of you who have travelled to be here, I hope you have time to venture out into the city and get a taste of life in Kuala Lumpur.

2. 25 countries and more than 30 political parties are represented here at the UMNO International Forum. We come from every continent on earth; from different histories and political systems. But we face many of the same pressures at home.

3. Around the world, demographics, technology and development are redrawing the political landscape. As our populations change – becoming more urbanised, more affluent, and more connected – their experience and expectations of government also change.

4. We face complex, often global problems, which require governments to work with people, businesses and each other. Yet public trust in governments around the world is collapsing. According to a global survey, fewer than one in six people believe that government officials can solve social problems, make ethical decisions – or even be completely honest about difficult issues.

5. And so, despite the diversity of our political traditions, many of us must confront a similar challenge: to keep our politics relevant, and our people engaged in the democratic process. To do so, we must change. This morning, I would like to speak about how – and why.

Ladies and gentlemen,                                                                                               

6. There are three significant changes that are common to our societies.                  

7. Firstly, people are more connected than ever before.  In 1997, just 2% of the global population used the internet. Next year, it will be closer to 40%. In the space of a single childhood, we have gone from using reference books in libraries to carrying Wikipedia in our pockets.

8. The decentralisation of knowledge – and the creation of new modes of communication and new industries – is as profound a revolution as the invention of writing itself. More information is more accessible to more people than at any time in history.

9. But the digital revolution is not just about the dissemination of knowledge; it is also about discussion. Via audio, video, image and text, people are freer to communicate with one another than ever before. Borders and barriers to interaction are melting away, as an increasingly global community shares ideas, principles, and experiences. And the implications for governments and political parties are profound.

10. Voters are better informed and more discerning; free to compare and contrast their political systems like never before. This places government under greater and more nuanced scrutiny. But just as competition encourages improvement and innovation in business, so it can improve governance and politics.

11. Traditional relationships between media, government and business elites are also evolving. In a media environment which changes by the second, news spreads further and faster than ever. As journalism is democratised, ordinary citizens are finding they have a global voice.

12. With decentralisation of information, then, comes decentralisation of power. More than ever before, people have the power – and the knowledge – to hold governments to account. Just as the printing press made Europe’s Reformation possible, today’s technology brings a new democratic accountability.

13. We should use our new-found voices responsibly, and with moderation. Rumour and disinformation now has a global reach; citizens should be mindful that provocative words can have real consequences. Established media outlets should refrain from inflammatory headlines, and honour the trust the public places in them as the keepers of truth.

14. As for governments, our response should be more openness, not less. We should be unafraid to practice a more open politics, with greater disclosure of policy and performance, and more genuine interaction with the public.

15. The digital revolution breaks the hierarchical power structure whereby governments and media had a constant voice and the citizens spoke only on Election Day. We should turn this to our advantage. We now have technology that supports a much wider and deeper range of public involvement in policymaking, with ‘open source government’ and open data breaking down traditional divides. We should honour not just the traditions but also the future direction of technology – towards greater openness and information sharing – by preserving the internet as a space for free discussion, and bringing more government functions into clear view.

16. The concept of transparency itself has been redefined in the digital age. But so too has our conception of privacy. As we have seen over the past six months, the globalisation of communications has opened up new risks to individual privacy and state sovereignty. There has been an increased level of spying conducted by some of our allies. As we work to combat terrorism and organised crime, we must guard against access that compromises individual liberties – and poisons public trust.

Ladies and gentlemen,

17. The secondly challenge is demographic: the makeup of our societies is changing, and countries with different population profiles are experiencing different effects.

18. Those with ageing populations face particular pressures on productivity and spending. They must manage the tension between welfare provisions and the cost of healthcare, and raising the revenue required to support an ever-older population. Theirs is a challenge of prosperity, and it is one that we must tackle soon: according to the UN, by 2050 there will be more pensioners in the world than children.

19. Countries with youthful populations must find opportunities for young people, to ensure they have a stake in society. In the Middle East and North Africa, we have seen what can happen when the economic and democratic needs of young people are ignored. To maintain stability, we must integrate young people into the economy and give them confidence in the political process.

20. Yet demography is about much more than age. Many countries are becoming more diverse, as people from different races and faiths move and marry; in the US, for example, the number of people who consider themselves multiracial is growing faster than any other group. Societies – including Malaysia – must find a settlement which is inclusive and sustainable, where no one is left behind, as we deal with growing diversity of race and faith. It is principally a challenge of harmony.

21. Addressing demographic change will require responsive politics; and a willingness to take on difficult questions – of responsibility between generations, and entitlement between people. We should muster the courage to take decisions for the long-term, not just the next electoral cycle, for demographic change demands policy foresight. It also requires a commitment to the principles of moderation: of tolerance, respect and understanding. We should seek solutions which are inclusive, not divisive.

22. The third change concerns development.

23. After the recent financial crisis, many nations are taking stock of their role in the global economy, and their prospects for future growth. Politicians must show that they understand both the pressures on people’s lives – and those that shape national economic destiny.  

24. In much of the developed world, the financial crisis shook public confidence in both markets and governments alike. Political parties struggled to respond to the credit crunch. In the worst affected countries, a generation of leaders lost power. But disenchantment was not limited to the ballot box: anti-austerity protests also grew to target corporate excess.

25. This crisis of confidence was intensified by the macroeconomic shift which is creating new centres of gravity in the global economy. As services follow production into no-longer-emerging markets, countries which rode the wave of early industrialisation now look for new sources of growth.

26. For the developing world, the challenge is different: to unlock truly equitable growth, so that citizens benefit from greater income and improved living standards, learning from those who went before without repeating their mistakes.

27. And for all nations, there is a pressing need to adapt to a new era of sustainability – environmental, economic and social. The development which brings the next wave of countries to ‘first-world’ status must be cleaner, fairer and more sustainable than the last.  

28. Sustainable environmental policy is a matter for individual countries and for the world at large. At the micro level, we should pursue the little wins which make a big problem smaller: improving energy efficiency standards, investing in new energy technology, protecting our forests and incentivising sustainable development. And at the macro level, we should commit to securing the best possible global deal to address climate change.

29. But growth must be economically sustainable, too. In an increasingly global economy, unbalanced growth can cause cross-border contagion. As the global conversation about the quality of growth shows, policymakers and the public are keen to learn from crises past, and build a global financial system that encourages innovation without recklessness.

30. That means reforming the financial sector where necessary, strengthening frameworks and financial systems, managing government and household debt, and using monetary and fiscal policy to support sustainable growth. By doing so, we can rebuild public confidence in the financial sector’s ability to contribute to national development – and government’s ability to properly manage it.

31. Finally, development must be socially sustainable.

32. Last month, we hosted a conference on social businesses here in Kuala Lumpur. I was struck by the depth of the commitment – amongst delegates from around the world – to the cause of profit-making with a conscience. As our economies mature, and governments recognise the limits of their ability, there is a growing space in which non-profit and social businesses can contribute to better national outcomes.

33. But social business is only one part of the puzzle. More generally, people now place a much greater emphasis on social value in development. They want to see housing projects which bring affordable housing for the many, not just luxury condominiums for the few. They want land developers to bring community needs into their business plans, and city planners to prioritise public space. And they want an economic system which works for them, not just the elite.

34. Breakneck economic development can sometimes cause casualties, as inequality bubbles build up. And behind some of the developing world’s headline growth statistics, things are getting worse. In a recent World Economic Forum poll, growing inequality was rated the number one concern in Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia. From the wealthiest regions to the poorest, from captains of industry to average citizens, inequality is consistently identified as a severe and worsening problem.

35. For socially responsible development, we should affirm our commitment to education and labour market reforms as a means of undoing inequality. We should embrace greater gender equality, as studies show the more equal a society is, the more competitive it is. And we should put a policy premium on socially responsible development, with incentives to grow social businesses - and a business culture that gives profit and social value equal weight.

Ladies and gentlemen,

36. The changes I have talked about today – technological, demographic and developmental – ask that we adjust our politics.

37. We must show that government can address the needs of the citizens and the challenges of the age. And we must encourage participation in the democratic process, to safeguard against apathy and extremism. To do so, we must demonstrate our commitment to effective government, and open politics.  

38. Effective government means showing that we can navigate complex problems and find equitable solutions. It means delivering on people’s development expectations, and cutting through the cynicism which says that government is part of the problem, not part of the solution. It means proving that we can respond to those three changes I spoke about earlier: demographics, technology and development. In short, we need to show what government can do.

39. Open politics means increasing participation in the political process, embracing greater transparency, and improving the state of democracy within our parties; reforming internal processes and distancing ourselves from money politics.

40. I know that these things are easy to say, but hard to do. And I know I have said plenty about what political parties should do, and not so much about what we are doing. So by way of conclusion, let me say a few words about my party, country and Malaysian people.

Ladies and gentlemen,

41. I am the President of UMNO: the United Malays National Organisation. Our story cannot be separated from Malaysia’s story. We have governed since independence; guided this young nation through its darkest times and its greatest hours.

42. Yes: we are a Malay political organisation. That is our founding principle, our heritage. But we govern in a coalition of many races, and we govern in the name of all.

43. Together, we took this nation from the brink – when race riots threatened to unleash a storm of hatred and violence – to what it is today. A modern, peaceful, multiracial and prosperous society – one of the world’s most dynamic, and most diverse. A nation unfinished in its creation, but which shows all the potential for greatness.

44. It is not always easy to maintain peace, stability and prosperity. To embrace moderation and our differences rather than focus on what divides us. And sometimes, in the heat of the moment, we go too far.

45. This year’s general election was hard fought, and hard won. On both sides, hopes ran high, and emotions sometimes ran higher. My party was returned to office with a mandate, but the result betrayed increased polarisation in the country.

46. I acknowledge that. I acknowledge it. But I want to heal these wounds and achieve national unity. I am determined to lead a government that governs for all Malaysians. Because I believe our greatest achievement – UMNO’s greatest achievement – is not the defence of just one race, but the creation of one state, one nation. One Malaysia.

47. It is the work of a lifetime, and it is not yet complete.

Ladies and gentlemen,

48. It is a myth that one race can only prosper at the expense of others. History shows us – in Malaysia and elsewhere – that shared peace and collective prosperity are the true guarantors of national success.

49. Collective prosperity means that no-one is left behind. In a perfect world, when democratic rule prevails, all people would be afforded the same opportunities. But in Malaysia, as in many countries, that was not the case. In the aftermath of colonialism, a majority of the population were largely poor, and largely shut out of the economy.

50. So in the name of social justice, we introduced affirmative action policies to level the playing field. To help the original inhabitants of this land – not just the Malays, but all the indigenous people, those in Sabah and Sarawak, Muslim and non-Muslim alike – who found themselves without an economic stake in Malaysia’s future.

51. Our situation is not unique. Many countries – from Australia to South Africa – have struggled to find the right formula to overcome inequality.

52. By putting in place policies to support historically disadvantaged groups, we are not denying the rights of other groups. In fact, an economy founded on growth with inclusiveness will deliver better outcomes for all communities. Under Barisan Nasional, Bumiputera policies will continue as long as there is a need, but no longer. Our history shows that affirmative action, national unity and growth can coexist. I ask for the continued support of all Malaysians, as we build on our economic successes, and look towards a brighter future.

53. This shared ambition for Malaysia is critical. The Arab Spring has shown us how uneven economic opportunities cause alienation and instability. And we have seen what happens when people succumb to the politics of hatred: in the former Yugoslavia, in Rwanda, in Darfur. We have also seen the riches which co-operation can bring: just fifty years have passed since the Malaysian Federation was formed, yet we are on the brink of high income status.

54. I believe history will judge UMNO by its ability to uphold the dignity not just of the Malay race and Islam, but of our country. Yes, we fought for and secured independence. Yes, we took our economy from humble beginnings to sterling success. But the past is not our future.

55. Now we must make our party and our values relevant to new generations; to those who have only ever known an independent and wealthy Malaysia, and who expect greater liberty and more opportunity. This is the new politics. We are not fighting the same fight as we were in the 1960s, the 1970s, or the 1980s. For our party – and our nation – to succeed, we must understand the aspirations of younger, better educated, more urban voters. We must be mindful of tradition, but look always towards the future.

56. We must strengthen the bonds between our people, from the biggest cities to the smallest kampungs. We must demonstrate that our vision of Malaysia’s future is compatible with people’s interests; that UMNO has not just a proud past, but UMNO a clear vision for the future. We must put nation above self, and people above self-interest; rejecting corruption, embracing open politics, and living the values we espouse.

57. In this task, we are aided immeasurably by the Malaysian people.

58. I believe that Malaysians share an instinct for unity and moderation. Our nation is founded on tolerance, and guided by the principles of peaceful co-existence and mutual respect. Sometimes, those principles are tested. It takes the utmost courage and conviction to stand firm. It is a standard which few meet, but all of us should aspire to.

59. We can do it. We can do it. And as we prepare to join the ranks of the developed nations, we look to learn from those who have taken great strides before us, and share our experience with those still to come.

60. That is what today’s conference is all about. So once again, on behalf of all Malaysians, I welcome you to this, the UMNO International Forum 2013.

Thank You