’TABLING Budget 2013 yesterday, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak urged the people to retain the BN in power in the 13th general election ‘to further improve what we have today’.
He said an important question to ask in making a decision at the ballot box was whether life today was better than yesterday, and whether tomorrow gave hope that was full of possibilities and potential.
“If the answer is yes, please give the mandate to the present government to further improve what we have today, without any hesitation,” he said when tabling Budget 2013.
In concluding his speech, Najib, who is also the finance minister, said Budget 2013 was among the series of budgets that would propel ‘this beloved nation’ towards achieving the national vision.
“As a party with the mandate, we urge the rakyat to evaluate critically and rationally each and every successful record of the BN. Over the last 55 years, the Barisan Nasional government and the earlier Perikatan (Alliance) government have created a better quality of life for the rakyat,” he said.
Najib said the fact that the people had given the BN government the mandate 12 consecutive times since 1959 meant that the right thing was done by the present government.
“We are aware that there are parties requesting to be given a chance to form the next government. In a democratic country, we understand that they too have their rights.
“It is the rakyat who ultimately decide who will be given the mandate through the ballot box,” he said, adding that the time had arrived when every rakyat would soon make a choice in determining the future as well as that of their children.
The present mandate of the government expires on April 28 next year. — Bernama