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Published: Saturday September 12, 2009 MYT 2:23:00 PM
Updated: Saturday September 12, 2009 MYT 7:04:34 PM

Najib: Party leaders must be popular with people, not just party members (Update)

By ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN


KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak reminded Barisan Nasional component party leaders that it is pointless for them to strive to be popular within their own party when they are unpopular with the people.

In a hard-hitting message to Barisan component party leaders, the Prime Minister said the people would punish Barisan if leaders forget this.

“In a parliamentary democracy, it is the people who will decide the future of the Barisan when a general election is called,” he added.

Najib, who is Barisan chairman, said Barisan leaders should drop their arrogance and personal displays of wealth that was unlikely to endear them to the people.

He added that Barisan leaders should stay connected to the people if they wanted to remain relevant and win their support.

“People hate us if we are arrogant and when we abuse our powers.

“They will hate us if we show off our wealth, but they will love us if we become their defenders.

“Only when we are in touch with the people, will we get their support,” he said in his speech at the launch of the 63rd MIC general assembly at the PWTC on Saturday.

Najib’s speech was punctuated by shouts of “Betul” (right) “Hidup Barisan” and standing ovations several times.

Najib said he has also set a key performance index (KPI) target for the MIC.

“What is your KPI? Win back the support of the Indian community.

“Nothing else matters. We will never loose anything when we work hard, are humble and go down to the ground often.

“This is the approach that we want. Barisan is a good product, but leaders must also show leadership qualities that will endear them to the people.

“Don’t do things that you’re not supposed to do. Serve the Indian people, serve the people of Malaysia,” he added.

Najib said he had given a clear signal on the need for Barisan leaders to be closer to the people when he said that he went on a walkabout in the city on the third day he became the Prime Minister.

“I enjoyed it because I’m with the people of Malaysia.

“If what I can do what I did as Prime Minister, then the Barisan component party leaders can do the same.

“Go down to the people, be humble and be simple,” he said to a standing ovation from the more that 1,000 MIC delegates.

Najib said the poor from the various races should be given assistance in line with his 1Malaysia concept, adding that the Barisan was the best political institution for the people.

Najib said the MIC had been provided with “almost everything” it had asked for by the Government.

These included RM100mil for Tamil schools, Tekun (RM15mil), training skills programme (RM20mil) and an allocation of RM2bil in Amanah Saham 1Malaysia and Amanah Saham Wawasan shares for the Indian community, he added.

He said that, unlike the Barisan which delivered what it promised, the opposition parties had failed to keep their promises, citing the Kg Buah Pala issue as an example.

“Barisan is a good product, the Barisan has given a lot (to the Indians), and we will continue to provide for the Indians as long as the Indian community responds to Barisan.

“Show us that you are with the Barisan,” he said to standing ovation and cheers from the audience.

Earlier, Najib joked that he had asked the police bomb unit to search the venue after he heard about “nuclear and hydrogen bombs.”

“The police made a sweep and they later declared that the PWTC was a safe place to hold a meeting,” he said to laughter from the crowd.

Najib was referring to the political tussle between MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and his estranged former deputy Datuk S. Subramaniam.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s “fiery” speech at the opening of MIC’s 63rd general assembly here has received the thumbs up from delegates who called it timely and spot on.

Many agreed with the Prime Minister’s call for MIC to win back the support of the Indian community as part of its key performance index and for coalition members to be humble and win the hearts of the people.

Some were caught offguard by his direct message while others felt that Najib was the first Prime Minister to give such an awe-inspiring speech at the assembly.

Most of the times, the Prime Minister would give a sombre speech or one which would not address the problems of the community, one delegate said.

The halls and corridors of the Putra World Trade Centre were abuzz with many exchanging notes about what they thought of Najib’s speech with some members emphasising the need for unity and change.

Najib received a standing ovation for his speech.

Candidate for the deputy president’s post Datuk S.Subramaniam said it was a very good and inspiring speech.

“MIC has to change through time. It is important for us as a political party, to get the people’s support,” he added.

Central Working Committee candidate Datuk Dr S. Vasan said Najib’s speech was a clear message to MIC that people wanted change.

“MIC must unite as one. It does not matter whose side you are on,” said Dr Vasan who declined to be affiliated with a particular camp.

Former MIC vice president Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar said it was the best speech he has heard in recent years in an assembly.

It is a very important reminder to all Barisan Nasional component party leaders to re-invent humility and build a symbiotic relationship with the people and not just with party members.

“It is pointless to win party posts but to lose the people’s support. This exhortation is timely and vital if BN is to survive in the next general election, he said.

Former youth national secretary M. Kumaresan said Najib was expressing the people’s opinion.

“According to Datuk Seri Najib, the Indian community want their voice to be heard.

Unity should start at the grassroots and be implemented throughout MIC branches nationwide,” he added.

A Perak delegate said it was a good speech and reflects the commitment by Najib to regain the support of all the communities in the country.

Penang MIC supporter Ram said Indians should unite as a big voice regardless of who won the elections as “the community’s needs should be the top priority,”Jasin MIC branch chairman Joseph Ekambaram stressed that the current leadership needed to be revamped to regain the trust of Indians while MIC supporter R. Ganesh called for youngsters to be given the opportunity to lead.

“The strength of the communuity relies on how united it is. More funding should be allocated for the development of the Indian community to help achieve the new KPI and regain the community’s trust,” said Ekambaram.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Najib’s speech was well received by the delegates, adding that they had already started working on the party’s KPI.

“As a Barisan party, we should listen and implement what is possible. We are already working on the KPI. First at the state level, then the branches,” Samy Vellu said they planned to carry out a massive campaign after the elections for the Indian community.

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