Friday September 5, 2008 MYT 4:32:09 PM
Najib denies trip has connection with Sept 16 deadline
By ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN
KUALA LUMPUR: The overseas study trip organised for Barisan Nasional MPs was initiated by the Backbenchers Club and has nothing to do with the notion that they may defect to the Opposition on Sept 16, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
The Deputy Prime Minister said as Chief Whip, he would allow the trip to go ahead as long as the excursion had constructive activities and brought good experience to the backbenchers.
He added the trip had nothing to do with the claim that a number of Barisan MPs would defect to the Opposition on Sept 16, which supposedly might lead to a new government being formed.
When asked whether he would approve the trip, Najib said: "The study visit programme was initiated by the Backbenchers Club and, yes, I'm approving anything that is constructive for our MPs.
"They can do this kind of programme at any time as long as it is constructive," he told reporters Friday after launching the Rakan Cop programme for National Service trainees at Titiwangsa Stadium.
Najib was commenting on The Star's report that Barisan Nasional MPs have been asked to submit their passports for an overseas study trip ahead of Sept 16, the date that was being bandied about for supposed defections to take place.
When it was pointed out that the trip might raise questions whether there were other reasons for doing so in the light of the statement by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that he would form a government by Sept 16, Najib said Anwar could claim many things.
"We'll see when it comes to Sept 16. Probably we'll see something else then," he added.
Asked about the destination of the trip, Najib said he would leave the matter to the backbenchers to decide.
On another matter, Najib who is Umno deputy president, said he would let the Penang Umno division members discuss the issue of Datuk Ahmad Ismail during their meeting on Saturday.
The Bukit Bendera Umno division chief had refused to apologise after making racists remarks against the Chinese community during a ceramah while campaigning for the Permatang Pauh by-election.
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