Saturday March 16, 2013

‘Tukar’ for a better life, Najib tells Kelantan

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS and SYED AZHAR
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

Hands full: People crowding to meet Najib during his visit in Tanah Merah. — Bernama

KUALA KRAI: The time has come for the people of Kelantan to experience definite changes that can only be brought about by Barisan Nasional, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“Tukar”, or change was the message the Prime Minister brought with him during his visit to the state yesterday, which many see as the last before the 13th general election.

He said the winds of change were evident in Kelantan and the time for it to happen might come soon.

“Judging from the crowd's response, I believe there will be positive changes in this state.

“It is undeniable that some governments are wrong but there are governments, like Barisan, which can bring about change and fulfil promises.

“This is the kind of government which you should choose,” he said at the meet-the-rakyat session here.

He also pledged that land in the state would not be given to outsiders but would instead be granted to the people of Kelantan.

The Prime Minister said the PAS-led state government had awarded 4,000ha of land to Perak DAP leaders Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham and Nga Kor Ming when the rakyat were also in need of it.

The Kelantan Government came under heavy fire after it was revealed that it had awarded land to Upayapadu Plantation Sdn Bhd, where Ngeh and Nga are directors.

Addressing the congregation performing Friday prayers at the Batu 11 mosque in Tanah Merah, the Prime Minister said no one should question the military action taken to deal with the intrusion in Lahad Datu.

He said Malaysia had adhered to international and Islamic laws which allowed for the sovereignty of the country to be protected.

At the ground-breaking ceremony for Perumahan Mesra Rakyat in Kota Baru, Najib said the federal government took only 53 days to fulfil its pledge to provide affordable housing in the city.

“I am aware that some quarters were doubtful about this project. But the fact that I am here today for the ground-breaking is testimony that Barisan keeps its pledge,” he said.

The Prime Minister also took time off to offer condolences to the family of Kpl Ahmad Hurairah Ismail and Kpl Ahmad Farhan Ruslan and presented letters of appreciation to the families of the deceased soldiers.

Kpl Hurairah, who was from the 7th Royal Malay Regiment in Tawau, died in a shootout with Sulu gunmen in Sungai Nyamuk, Lahad Datu, on Tuesday while Kpl Farhan of 3rd Royal Malay Regiment based in Lok Kawi, Kota Kinabalu, was killed in a road accident on the same day.

News

Saturday March 16, 2013

‘Tukar’ for a better life, Najib tells Kelantan

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS and SYED AZHAR newsdesk@thestar.com.my

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS and SYED AZHAR
newsdesk@thestar.com.my