By : SHANNON TEOH
DATUK Seri Najib Razak admitted tonight that the 'gargantuan task' of changing the mindset of his Barisan Nasional (BN) is needed to regain Chinese support, which is the lowest compared to other races here.
The prime minister asked Chinese voters on live national television to give his administration time to implement reforms as “the journey has already begun and we have accomplished much in the last three years” since he took power.
“If the people give us the mandate for the next five years, we can achieve much more. You can change systems and the law but changing people, the mindset, is a gargantuan task,” he said when asked why he was better accepted by Chinese than his BN colleagues.
He agreed with the hosts of ntv7’s Mandarin talk show “Chat Time With...” that support from Chinese was the lower “compared to Malays, Indians, Kadazans” but insisted that “the trend is that it is increasing.”
Najib took over as prime minister in April 2009 ostensibly to improve on the March 2008 election results where BN suffered its worst result ever, ceding its customary two-thirds supermajority in Parliament and five state governments.
Although the Pekan MP reversed a string of by-election defeats since then, results have shown that Chinese voters have swung further away from the ruling coalition.
He has increased efforts to win back Chinese voters recently, appearing on Chinese radio last month and intervening personally in key issues such as the Lynas rare earth plant in Kuantan and planned Mass Rapid Transit tunnelling works under Chinese-owned businesses in the capital.
The Umno president also denied that his party was “flexing its muscles too much” as it has “done so much now to make policies fairer and more inclusive.”
He cited the move towards merit-based government scholarships and needs-based welfare such as the Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia RM500 cash handouts to households earning less than RM3,000 a month, as examples of how “Umno has embraced change.”
“Umno is supporting all these policies, so Umno itself has realised it has to change,” he said.
The BN chief said that because component parties such as MCA, MIC and Gerakan lost a large number of seats in Election 2008, they were perceived to be unable to provide a check-and-balance within the coalition of mostly race-based parties.
“All other component parties have very good access to me, and in Cabinet, we allow people to express views across the table before final decision. The process of consultation is pretty robust. In reality, whatever we decide must be supported by all component parties.” he said.
Perjuangan parti adalah perjuangan bersama bukan perjuangan individua
ReplyDeleteBN perlu menjadi parti yang boleh diterima oleh semua masyarakat tanpa mengira kaum.
ReplyDeleteBN harus lebih berfikiran terbuka dalam dpt kan lebih byk sokongan.
ReplyDeleteTeruskan mendekati rakyat bagi mencapai satu kejayaan yang baik. Kerana rakyat senang pasti kerajaan menjadi pilihan rakyat seterusnya.
ReplyDeletesepatutnya usaha menarik sokongan kaum cina telah bermula selepas kegagalan BN meraih sokongan kaum itu di PRN sarawak..
ReplyDeleteCommunity leaders play an important role and their contributions are appreciated by the Barisan Nasional government.
ReplyDeleteThey are important grassroots leaders who serve as the link between the government and people.
ReplyDeleteThey assist the people to get assistance. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said this at a meeting with community leaders of the Kudat zone .
ReplyDeleteMusa said community leaders have a responsibility to inform the people on the sincerity of the government, especially the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) in safeguarding the people’s interest.
ReplyDeleteThis is because many still are unable to obtain information through the print and electronic media on what the government is doing for them and the country.
ReplyDeleteHe added that the community leaders too must tell the people how fortunate they were to be able to live peacefully and harmoniously as compared to the situation in other countries.
ReplyDeleteThey must also respond to issues including allegations aimed at discrediting the BN government and leaders.
ReplyDeleteThe people, he said, must be given a clear picture of the efforts being made by the government.
ReplyDeleteThe Chief Minister also told the community leaders at the gathering not to be used by certain leaders for their personal interest.
ReplyDeleteMusa added that the people including community leaders should not focus on trivial issues that would only cause a split and weaken the government.
ReplyDeleteWhat is important is to serve the people and maintain our strength at the grassroots level.
ReplyDeleteHe said community leaders were respectable and experienced persons and that the government had raised their allowance to commensurate with their tasks.
ReplyDeleteHe said community leaders were respectable and experienced persons and that the government had raised their allowance to commensurate with their tasks.
ReplyDeleteIt is imperative for them to ensure the development for the people in their areas are implemented comprehensively and effectively.
ReplyDeleteOn the gathering, he said such a programme was able to boost the spirit of cooperation as well as the people’s support for the government.
ReplyDeleteThis is the way in BN. We meet always, discuss and go to the ground to meet the people and work as a team.
ReplyDeleteAs such, the community leaders play an important role in assisting the government to ensure the success of its policies and programmes aimed to benefit the people.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, the Chief Minister said many programmes such as the 1Malaysia concept, GTP, ETP, NKRA, NKEA, 1Malaysia Clinic, Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia, Program Kebajikan Rakyat 1Malaysia (PRIMA) and Skim Amanah Rakyat 1Malaysia (SARA 1Malaysia) had been introduced in the last three years.
ReplyDeleteThe Chief minister believes that the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) has benefitted the people in Kudat.
ReplyDeleteMusa also said the Prime Minister had approved a huge allocation to carry out many development programmes in Sabah, including for implementation in the rural areas.
ReplyDeleteThe BN government, he said, has an unblemished track record over the last 50 years.
ReplyDelete“Our achievements are regconised by foreign leaders who visit the country. They are impressed by the country’s progress and the harmonious co-existence of the people.They wish to learn from us…our secret for success,” he said.
ReplyDeleteAccording to him, the BN government was farsighted and has a clear vision and strong political will.
ReplyDeleteThe political struggle of opposition on the other hand, he said, was for personal gains. “They don’t have any track record and are opportunists running out of ideas. They tell lies, make empty promises and exploit issues for their own benefit,” Musa added.
ReplyDeleteAnd, he also pointed out that the upcoming general election was crucial for the future of the country and people.
ReplyDelete“Do not choose wrongly and gamble away our future. And with your support, we must ensure the BN government stays strong,” he said.
ReplyDeleteMusa also expressed confidence that the people of Kudat would not be influenced by the opposition and would make the right choice.
ReplyDeleteThe government, he assured, was committed to developing the district and bringing progress for its residents.
ReplyDelete“We will fulfil our promises to develop Sabah, especially Kudat. And, we will work hard to ensure the people get the best service,” he said.
ReplyDelete