KUALA LUMPUR Faced with challenges and tribulations, including the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic and floods, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob called on Malaysians to create new hope to build a better nation in 2022.

Inviting Malaysians to join him and the government towards this purpose, the prime minister said all parties should celebrate similarities and set aside differences to continue the national development agenda.

“With the arrival of 2022, a new chapter will begin in our lives. I pray the year 2022 brings renewed hope to Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family),” he said in his New Year message aired by local television stations Friday night.

Recalling the COVID-19 situation this year, Ismail Sabri said the pandemic had seen a daily record of 24,599 cases and 393 fatalities on Aug 26.

However, various proactive measures implemented by the government and the people yielded results after cases began dropping to the figures numbering about 3,000 daily cases currently.

However, he said looking at the increase in current cases in countries such as the United States, France and the United Kingdom, apart from the emergence of new variants such as Omicron, the government has taken several measures as part of preparations to face any outbreak in the country.

Ismail Sabri said as 2021 was nearing its end, Malaysia was tested with massive floods that resulted in 48 deaths.

“However this tragedy had also highlighted the spirit of Malaysian Family which is togetherness among the people regardless of race, religion and position,” he said.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said in terms of social aspects and the well-being of the people, the government was focused on meeting the housing needs of Malaysia’s young generation.

He said this also involved Artificial Intelligence technology with the Smart Safe City concept to be introduced in stages starting in major cities nationwide.

“This is the economic direction that will be taken in 2022,” he said.

Ismail Sabri said issues concerning poverty and income divide were also agendas that he will prioritise, adding that he will personally lead poverty eradication initiatives undertaken by the government through poverty units set up at the central, state and district levels.

The prime minister said the government will also continue to give its focus on issues concerning development and rural development.

Source: Nam News Network