Majlis Pelancaran Unit Gantian & Baikpulih Syarikat Regal Marine Engineering Services Sdn Bhd
YB Dato' Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir
Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pelajaran, Sumber Manusia dan Teknologi Maklumat Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan
Encik Nordin Mat Yusoff
Pengerusi MASA
Encik Shaikh Dawood Abdul Kader
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif RMES
Dato'-Dato'
Tuan-tuan dan Puan-puan yang dihormati sekelian
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh dan Salam Sejahtera
Saya ingin mengucapkan ribuan terima kasih kepada Regal Marine Engineering Services Sdn Bhd kerana sudi menjemput saya untuk merasmikan majlis ini.
2. Seperti yang kita sedia maklum, hari ini adalah hari bekerja terakhir (Last working daya) sebelum kita melabuh tirai dan melambaikan Ucapan Selamat Tinggal kepada Tahun 2005.
3. Sekali lagi masa telah beredar cepat. Sementara kita mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada Tahun 2005 dan menyambut tahun baru, mungkin inilah masanya untuk kita merenung kembali peristiwa-peristiwa pahit dan manis yang kita kecapi dan melafazkan azam baru ke arah matlamat yang lebih baik pada tahun hadapan. Alhamdulliah, segala puji bagi Allah S.W.T yang mengurniakan bgitu banyak nikmat kepada kita semua. Sepanjang tahun 2005 dan tahun-tahun sebelumnya, tidak terhitung rahmat yang telah dilimpahkanNya. Antara nikmatNya yang terlalu besar ialah menganugerahkan kepada kita kesihatan yang baik dan keadaan politik yang stabil. Marilah kita sentiasa mengucap syukur kehadratNya di samping bermuhasabah di kala menyambut kedatangan tahun 2006 ini. Tekadkan azam dalam hal-hal yang membawa kebaikan kepada ekonomi, sosial, politik dan agama kita.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
4. During 2005, the Malaysian economy remained resilient with a strong growth of 5.3% in the first three quarters. More importantly, the private sector continued to steer the expansion of the economy and private consumption rose by 10.4%, supported by stable labour market conditions, a competitive credit environment and high commodity prices. Gross fixed capital formation expanded by 9.6%, with private investment constituting the bulk of total investment.
5. The nation's macroeconomic fundamentals continue to remain strong. Inflation has generally remained stable at below 2% from 2000 to 2004, and slightly high at 3% in the first eleven months of 2005. Employment is at a high level.
6. On the external front, the balance of payments remains strong following 96 consecutive months of surplus in the current account since November 1997 through October 2005, as well as continued inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI), which reached RM17.6 billion in 2004, the highest since 1999. FDI inflows amounted to RM8 billion during the first half of 2005, indicating that Malaysia continues to remain an attractive investment location, despite rising competition fronm other economies.
7. The Government continued to strengthen its budgetary position, reducing the fiscal deficit from 5.6% of GDP in 2002 to the expected 3.8% in 2005. The deficit is expected to further decline to 3.5% of GDP in 2006. Significantly, the reduction in fiscal deficit has been achieved without jeopardizing economic growth but through enhancing revenue as well as improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Government expenditure.
8. Economic activity and growth were supported by a healthy banking system. Bank lending remained robust, supported by resilient demand from the business and household sectors. Notably, lending to the business sector was driven by the growth in bank financing to the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
9. Moving forward, there will be challenges in 2006, including high oil prices, monetary tightening stance, particularly in the US, widening global imbalances as well as continued geopolitical tensions. However, the Malaysian economy has demonstrated increased resilience since the financial crisis to face these downside risks and to continue sustaining growth and development. The economy is expected to maintain its growth momentum in 2006 with a growth rate of 5.5%, in line with sustained private sector acitivites and a favourable external environment, especially the uptrend in the global electronics industry, as well as rising intra-Asian trade. In addition, the Government's continuing efforts to diversify the economy through new sources of growth, as well as further improving the delivery system, will contribute towards enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of the economy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Returning to the function today,
10. I am happy with the actions taken by Regal Marine Engineering Services to achieve the Government's objective of ensuring that efficient ancillary services are available in Malaysian ports. The setting up of the Spares Division is in line with Malaysia's focus on research and development. The maritime sector can certainly contribute towards the development of Malaysia in the context of Vision 2020.
11. Maritime technological products and systems also have strong commercial potential and high market value due to the global nature of the maritime business, and this will generate new business opportunities for Malaysia.
12. I have been informed that, with the introduction of this major division by RMES, shipping owners now can carry out repair works in Malaysian ports instead of using other foreign ports. I am confident that the staff of RMES, with their vast experience, will endeavour to provide world class service to both local and foreign clients.
13. I am happy to note that RMES is also a good corporate citizen. They have pledged to contribute RM18,000 to:
(i) RUMAH NUR HIKMAH
(ii) TABUNG KUMPULAN WANG KEBAJIKAN & PELAJARAN YAYASAN PERAK
(iii) MISI KHAS BANTUAN KEMANUSIAAN - YBM
14. This generous gesture will definitely add glitter to this excellent event during this wonderful evening. It is indeed a pleasure to be present at the launching of RMES new spare parts division and I wish the company a fruitful journey to success.
Wabillahi Taufik Walhidayah Wasalamualaikum Warahmatullah Hiwabarakatuh.
(30th.December 2005)
Integrated Sistem Pemantauan Aduan Agensi Awam
