Saturday April 18, 2009
Najib: By-elections draining resources
By WANI MUTHIAH
KLANG: Too much effort and resources are being wasted by holding by-elections when the nation should be concentrating on strengthening its economy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
“It is different if an elected representative dies but resignations are political decisions which can also be regarded as a political ploy,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference after opening the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysias (ACCCIM) 63rd annual general meeting, he said the people resent by-elections that were held deliberately.
He was commenting on the impending Penanti state assembly by-election in Penang which fell vacant following the resignation of the deputy chief minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.
“By resigning, an elected representative has reneged on his commitment to serve,” he added.
“By right, the focus should be on strengthening the country’s economy and protecting the people’s interest. We must be moving forward for the nation’s future,” Najib said.
When asked if Mohammad Fairus had betrayed his constituents with his resignation, he said it was up to the people to judge what had transpired.
“The people are smart now and can make up their own minds,” he added.
Congratulations: Najib presenting a certificate to Siti Norsyamiera Samsudin who scored 9As in last year’s PMR after delivering his speech at the ACCCIM annual general meeting in Klang yesterday as (from left) ACCCIM president Tan Sri William Cheng, Siti Norsyamiera’s parents Nora Osman and Samsudin Hashim and MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat look on. To a question if a recent article in a Malay vernacular paper, which called for the Malays to unite and stand-up against the demands of the non-Malays contradicted the 1Malaysia concept, Najib said it depended on personal interpretation.
However, he said he did not want any form of extremism in the country including racism as moderation should be practised in every aspect.
He reminded the people that Islam was a religion which encouraged moderation in thoughts and actions.
Najib said 1Malaysia could be interpreted from many perspectives but the thrust of it was of staying together and developing trust and mutual respect among the races as well as working together as one nation.
Related stories:
The high cost of holding by-elections
EC may limit number of supporters at polling centres
By-elections a necessary evil, say polls watch groups
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