Barisan Nasional Strongest Point: Government Transformation program (GTP) and Economic Transformation Programe (ETP) with “Government Knows Best is over.”

To arrest the class struggle , Najib administration had launched Government Transformation Program (GTP) and Economic Transformation Program (ETP) that emphasize more and more government affirmative on the market. Under the policy, various welfare aid was delivered to the people such as Klinik 1Malaysia, Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia, Perumahan Rakyat 1Malaysia, Baucer Rakyat 1Malaysia and many other incentives. Since Najib took office, in 2009 until 2013, the budget never misses giving rewards and also a bonus to the people.

However, one of the key is participation of the rakyat. In my opinion, this is what delays the class struggle in Malaysia. At the moment of April 4^th in 2009, Prime Minister, is announcing “The day and age where government knows all and knows best is so long over”. Many people cheers with applause and some of people view the statement pessimistically. For example comment made by Lim Kit Siang undermined the commitment, stated that the “principle has been forgotten by cabinet and bureaucracy”.[i] However, all of the critiques were foul where "government knows best is over” really took place in people hearts and minds and remarkably proved under the implementation of the Government Transformation Program (GTP), and Economic Transformation Program (ETP),that managed by Performance Management Delivery Units (PEMANDU). All of the roadmap under New Economic Model uses the new method which, were organized and plan with high involvement of citizens that came from various backgrounds. As stated by Y.B Dato Mukhriz Tun Mahathir in a speech during his visit to one of the public universities on October, “It is irrational that we hope for the different results while we are doing the same thing.”

Participant of Rakyat in National Policy

In my opinion, one of the biggest and most successful products is the GTP and ETP. It empowers people participation and contribution to join together to develop the nation. “People first, performance now “have witnessed high levels of cooperation between private sector and public sector with over thousand of people,194 MNCs, GLCs, SMEs, Ministry and government agency to plan the roadmap of ETP [ii]. All aim for one mission. Which is for Malaysia to be a high income nation, with USD 15,000 GDP per capita in 2020 (in 2011 it was USD 9,700). [iii] In fact, during the GTP and ETP was launched in 2009, it was USD 6,700 only .[iv] This effort was led by Dato Seri Idris Jala and some said that they held meeting until 5 am to plan the roadmap.[v]

This noble effort would only be successful under great leadership. As has been mention of Sir Charles Masefield , Commonwealth partnership technology management , who praise the Malaysia effort under GTP and ETP ” The key programmes, success is that it is being led personally by the Prime Minister, any programs like this, unless it is led by the top will not be successful” [vi]. When PM Najib once mentions that the government knows best is over, he really “means it”. [vii] The roadmap of GTP ,that was as thick as 600 pages birth from wide involvement of expertise and figure include academician, public servant, private sectors and come out with the strategy “Big, Result, Fast”.[viii]  As a result of this effort,  according to department of statistic and Bank Negara, for 2011, the total private investment was RM94 billion is highest in five years and Growth National Income (GNI)  were RM830 billion, highest achieved since independence. [ix]

Roadmap of Education

Furthermore, the participation in government policy from the rakyat witness in the Blueprint of Education Strategy from 2013- 2025 was born. The strategies were being developed from various stakeholders and expert, highlight 11 measures to propel Malaysia education. The approach of the administration is groundbreaking, because it involves people in many ways. It also involves NGOs and international body such as UNESCO, World Bank, OECD and six local Universities. In the national blueprint also we can observed that over 50,000 Ministry official, teachers, principal, ordinary citizens were engaged via discussion, interview, surveys, and National dialogue town hall to gather the needs of the people and for the best solution. The ministry also appointed 12-members Malaysia of expert and 4 members of international expert to strengthen the findings.[x]

Knowledgeable rakyat will create a knowledgeable government.

“Government knows best policy is over” required people wisdom and demand a society with knowledge and highly educated background. Knowledge is power. On 1^st April 2010, Prime Minister announces the establishment of the National Council of Professors that combines the intellect of 1,426 professors from all public higher learning institutions. The establishment of the council, encourages scholars to provide input in the government effort under the New Economic Model with the appointment of 14 head of cluster relate to the area of specializations.[xi] One of the Head of Cluster is Prof Datuk Dr.Mohamed Mustafa Ishak in Security and International Affairs.[xii]

Furthermore, MyBrain15 scheme is also one of the commitments of the government to create more scholars in our country. MyBrain15 is aiming to have 60,000 PhD holders by 2023[xiii] with a very interesting scholarship reward. This is a part of effort to achieve vision 2020 as in Najib’s speech “The three essential areas in the country needs to improve on if it is to achieve Vision 2020, are human, private and social capital.”[xiv]

In addition, as a continuation from previous commitments to education and training, governments allocate around 21% of national budget 2013 on this matter. The focus is on developing infrastructure and program from the early of preschool, until the higher education institutions. For example, RM 1.2 billion are provided to improve preschool education for KEMAS,PERMATA and to Ministry of Education[xv]. In addition, to ensure that the country does not left behind in term of nanotechnology, automotive, aerospace, and biotechnology, in budget 2013 also, allocate RM 600 million for the Research and Development (R& D) effort.[xvi]

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[i] Muhyiddin – honour Najib’s pledge that “The era where the government knows best is over” and allow parents the choice to retain the policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English for their children,blog lim kit Siang,  [internet] http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2009/08/09/muhyiddin-%E2%80%93-honour-najib%E2%80%99s-pledge-that-%E2%80%9Cthe-era-where-the-government-knows-best-is-over%E2%80%9D-and-allow-parents-the-choice-to-retain-the-policy-of-teaching-science-and-math/ [accessed on 20 November 2012]

[ii] ETP Overview,24 September 2010,Economic Transformation programme,Open Day,keynote Address, YB Senator Dato seri Idris Jala, CEO of PEMANDU in Prime Minister Department.[internet]

[iii] Ibid

[iv] A BETTER MALAYSIA, NST online, 2 April 2012,[internet]  http://www.nst.com.my/top-news/a-better-malaysia-1.69956#ixzz1qtqj9Wsp [accessed on 23 November 2012]

[v] Najib Tun Razak, Exploring Changes for greater achievement,2011, Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia.

[vi] Mazwin Nik Anis,2011, Najib’s GTP and ETP lauded, The star,22 June 2011.

http://blis2.bernama.com.eserv.uum.edu.my/mainHomeBypass.do [ accessed on  20 November 2012]

[vii] PEMANDU annual Report 2011 , http://www.pemandu.gov.my/gtp/annualreport2011/pdf/pemandu_ar2011.pdf [accessed on 20 November 2012]

[viii]  Dato Seri Idris Jala, Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) ,YouTube, [video] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzgP1qFvDpY [accessed on 20 November 2012 ]

[ix] Dato Seri Idris Jala ETP Turns one  Livestream Presentation by Dato' Sri Idris Jala [video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qm38SXn2Gc [accessed on 20 November 2012]

[x] Preliminary Report , Malaysia Education Blueprint, 2013-2025, http://hornbillunleashed.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/preliminary-blueprint-english.pdf [accessed on 20 November 2012]

[xi] Najib Tun Razak (2010), Charting Malaysia’s Transformation,Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia, January 2011.page 81. Printed by Percetakan Zainon Kassim Sdn.Bhd.

[xii] Utusan Online, 26 July 2012, Keputusan berdasarkan hasil kajian ilmiah, [internet] http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Politik/20120726/po_07/Keputusan-berdasarkan-hasil-kajian-ilmiah   [22 November 2012]

[xiii] News Straits Times, 2012,MyBrain15 upgraded to woo more applicants, NST,http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/mybrain15-upgraded-to-woo-more-applicants-1.146818 [accessed on 21 November 2012.]

[xiv] Najib Tun Razak, Charting Malaysia’s Transformation,Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia Januari 2011.page 116

[xv] Bernama, 2012, Budget 2013: RM1.2bil to provide quality pre-school education, The Star Online, 28 September 2012,[internet] http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?sec=budget&file=/2012/9/28/budget/20120928200658 [accessed on 22 November 2012]

[xvi]  Budget 2013: Tax breaks, affordable housing and cash for the needy, The Star, 28 September 2012, [internet] http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/9/28/nation/20120928161303&sec=nation [accessed on 23 November 2012]