KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has cancelled his visit to the United States, amid political uncertainty within Umno and the country.
His office issued an official statement today citing the economy and his recent appointment as finance minister as the reason, but the cancellation of the trip has added to the political intrigue gripping the country.
"This is due to the ongoing global economic situation which needs the attention of the deputy prime minister to ensure the country's economy remains on strong footing," a statement from his office said, adding that Najib had just been appointed the finance minister on Sept 17.
"He needs the time to get all the briefings on the country's current economic situation from the various agencies under the finance ministry," it continued.
He was scheduled to leave for New York tonight to address the UN General Assembly and return early next month.
The New York trip was supposed to follow on from a stopover in the Middle East which Najib had also postponed last week under a similar pretext with strong denials that it had anything to do with the current political situation in Malaysia.
Umno begins its party elections on Oct 9 with division level meetings against a backdrop of vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin challenging the agreed 2010 transition plan between Najib and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi.
Meanwhile, the opposition is still seeking an avenue to topple the Barisan Nasional government despite momentum having slowed with no new deadline or concrete move since Abdullah rejected a proposed emergency Parliamentary sitting to deliberate a motion of no confidence.
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1) Increase our oil production, expedite the 40+ deepwater projects. Malaysia will be richer than it already is
2) Improve our education system. The lingua franca of international business has, is, and always will be ... ENGLISH!
3) Map out regulations and tariffs in a 10 year plan booklet so that investors really know what to expect. Boost confidence for more FDI
4) Get serious about corruption. Minimum 2 years jail without parole and you have to be ruthless