PENAMPANG: Prime Minister cum Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has dispelled talks that his frequent visits to Sabah were because of the political situation in the state.
In rejecting the opposition’s contention that his numerous visits to Sabah, namely, five visits this year, he said that it had nothing to do with worries about the political situation in the state.
“I have come here five times, not because I am worried (about the politics in Sabah) but this is a promise kept and our commitment to look after the people and Sabah as well as to ensure that the development disparity gap is narrowed,” he said.
“A leader must know how to feel the pulse of the people and we must know the people’s aspirations. We cannot be a big leader if we are only adept at talking like the medicine seller by the roadside.
“They will promise they can cure any disease.., that everything is possible if the people would listen to the opposition. Don’t place your hopes on leaders who are like roadside medicine traders who go all over the places talking about votes and power…the question of the people’s interest is not important to them,” he said.
Najib also reminded the people not to be easily taken in by the sweet promises of the opposition who had clearly failed to administer the states they won in the previous general election.
“Don’t think national administration is so simple that we can arbitrarily spend money as we like just to become popular and get the support of the people.
“When we utter a word or statement it must be based on the credibility of a government and this is the Barisan Nasional (BN) government. It’s very easy to make promises or become dream merchants. Like the opposition in 2008 who wanted to win in Selangor and Penang and let’s not even mention Kelantan,” he said.
“How much did they deliver? One hundred per cent? Ninety per cent … are not backed up by facts. In their report card (Penang and Selangor), they would have got Grade D or might have even failed,” he added.
According to him, the opposition’s arsenal could be described in three words, which were “criticise, incite and promise. These are the three weapons they have. For example, they criticised my wife and I for dancing the Sumazau during a recent visit to Sabah. The opposition criticises but we respect the Kadazandusun culture,” he said.
“Maybe I am not as good as (Sabah Deputy Chief Minister) Tan Sri Pairin (Joseph Pairin Kitingan) and (Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities) Tan Sri Bernard (Dompok) in dancing the Sumazau…what is important is that I respect the culture of the multi-ethnic community of Sabah,” he said.
Najib said leaders must be responsible and “walk the talk.”
“We must be responsible leaders … leaders who stand by what we say and fulfil promises made. That is my principle. As a result, when we announced BR1M 2 (1Malaysia People’s Aid for the second time) the people have confidence we will pay next year.
“We can hold the general election at any time because the people are confident that we will deliver what we promise… sometimes a bit late but sooner or later we deliver,” he stressed.