Monday February 25, 2013

I don’t make empty promises, says PM

By SARBAN SINGH
sarbans@thestar.com.my

Reaching out to the top: Najib getting a warm welcome by wellwishers during a Chap Goh Meh festival at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pandan Indah.

SEREMBAN: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that as the Prime Minister he will not compromise on the integrity of the Government by making promises that he cannot deliver.

He said he would not sacrifice the future of the people and that of the country merely to win the general election.

“We must have principles in our struggles and in life. The general election is not just about who will win, but the destiny of our country,” he told Barisan grassroots leaders during a luncheon here yesterday.

He said that was why the Barisan Government did not promote populist policies but only made promises which it could keep.

“We only make promises that we can keep because we are a responsible Government.

“The other side (Opposition) makes pledges, but Barisan is the one that delivers. Anyone can make promises, to abolish the PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund Corporation), toll, reduce fuel prices, free this and that.

“But the election concerns choosing a responsible government, one that can take us to a much better future, that elevates the integrity of the people and country,” he added.

Najib also called on grassroots leaders of Barisan component parties to close ranks and work together.

Najib said Barisan members must cooperate and find ways to further strengthen the coalition's election machinery, stressing that unity was Barisan's greatest weapon.

“If we are united and strong internally, I do not see why we cannot emerge victorious,” he said.

Earlier, when launching the construction of 5,000 units of the Peru-mahan Rakyat 1Malaysia (PR1MA) and the redevelopment of Keretapi Tanah Melayu station here, Najib said he has yet to call for the general election because he wanted to ensure that the people fully understood the policies introduced by the Govern-ment since he assumed the premiership four years ago.

“A few days ago, it was reported that the country registered a phenomenal growth of 6.4% in the last quarter (of 2012).

“We have been registering impressive growth at a time when our neighbour Singapore recorded 1.5%; the United States, between 1% and 2%; Europe, 0.5% to 1%; and some nations at -3% to -4%,” he said.

Najib said Malaysia was one of the few countries which had registered impressive growth worldwide and this was due to the policies introduced and implemented by the Barisan Nasional Government.

“I want the people to know that the Government's transformation programmes have yielded the desired results and it was not empty talk. The people should be able to judge us now,” he said.

Najib said Barisan's policy to put the people first was also evident in the many products introduced in recent times including the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M), Klinik 1Malaysia, PR1MA and Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia.

“You need to have the ideas, creativity and effective implementation if you are sincere in helping the rakyat and the Barisan Government certainly has it,” he said, adding that the Opposition was only good at criticising the good work put in by Barisan.

On another matter, Najib said he regretted the action of PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Seri Nik Aziz Nik Mat who had likened the recipients of BR1M as animals.

“He is an ulama, which is a highly respected position. But, sadly, he is bent on ridiculing people and this has reflected poorly on him,” he said.

News

Monday February 25, 2013

I don’t make empty promises, says PM

By SARBAN SINGH sarbans@thestar.com.my

By SARBAN SINGH
sarbans@thestar.com.my