DRAGON FRUIT ATTRACTION: Muhyiddin (third left) visiting local fruit stalls at Kampung Bungai where he attended a leader-with-the-people session. Seen on his right is Ahmad Lai. — Bernama photo
BEKENU, Sibuti: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin is confident that Malaysia will be a developed country in eight years’ time, with per capita income at US$15,000.
He said this would be an improvement over the current per capita income of US$9,700.
“In the 60s, our per capita income was only US$700, but now it has increased to US$9,700.
“We are optimistic that we can reach US$15,000 in another eight years and become a developed nation. Eight years is not a long time,” he said.
He was addressing a crowd of thousands of people at a leader-with-the-people session at Kampung Bungai, Bekenu in Sibuti constituency here.
Also present were Minister of Tourism and Minister of Housing Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang.
Based on the rate Malaysia was going, Muhyiddin said it would not be impossible for it to become a developed nation by 2020. But to reach this target, he said everyone had to play their part.
“We all have to work towards this objective, double our efforts and give our support to the government as only this can help us reach the objective of becoming a developed nation,” he added.
Elaborating, he said the people could play their part by being committed in what they do.
For example, he added, a farmer should manage his farm well instead of merely planting and waiting.
“Do not plant something and leave it to grow on its own. You should plant, manage the farm, apply fertiliser and water your crop then harvest it.
“If you plant your crops and leave them to grow on their own, only to come back later to harvest them, your crops may die,” he said, adding that nothing would yield good results without effort.
Commenting on his visit to Sarawak, he said it was to see development projects which had been implemented in the state as well as to get feedback on them from the people.
“I have visited almost half of Sarawak and I have witnessed various projects implemented by the state and federal governments for the benefit of the people.
“I must say Sarawak is among the most developed states in Malaysia and I have been visiting this state regularly,” he said.
On requests by Ahmad Lai for roads in Sibuti to be upgraded and school facilities to be improved, Muhyiddin said the matter would be looked into and implemented in stages as it would involve a huge amount of fund.
At the same function, Muhyiddin announced a RM5 million allocation for Sibuti for development purposes, including tourism.
“The RM5 million is for Sibuti and I leave it to Ahmad Lai and Abang Jo (Abang Johari) what projects to implement with the fund,” he said further.