KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is capable of managing and handling the national economy well, said Sabah Umno Liaison Committee deputy chief Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.
As such, he said the recent call by former Information Minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin for former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to be appointed as Minister Mentor to tackle various issues affecting the country, particularly the economy was inappropriate and unnecessary.
Although Zainuddin was entitled to his views, Salleh opined that Mahathir could aptly convey his advice to the government through appropriate channels, and it was not necessarily “by way of appointment as senior minister or Minister Mentor in the federal cabinet”.
“Our Prime Minister (Najib) is handling the economic situation very well albeit in a different approach … Mahathir’s era is different from Najib’s. Economic recipe might also not be the same. What is happening now is that the opposition is trying to manipulate or capitalise on various issues engulfing the country, including the economy.
“There are also certain quarters (dissident leaders from within) expressing different views in tackling economic problems. We respect their views….but at the same time let us give Najib a chance to continue and carry out his reforms or economic policies. I believe Najib is genuinely sincere in wanting to get the reforms going in the larger interest of the nation and people,” he said.
Salleh, who is also Sabah Legislative Assembly Speaker, said this after launching the Dalamalee boutique at Kingfisher Park near here yesterday.
Zainuddin was recently quoted as calling for the return of Dr Mahathir to Putrajaya to help the Barisan Nasional federal government tackle raging racial, religious and economic issues.
Zainuddin said the proposal was not for Dr Mahathir, Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister, to take over the stewardship of the country from Datuk Seri Najib Razak, but to help Najib face issues that are engulfing the country.
Salleh asserted that Najib inherited fundamental economic problems that needed to be resolved wholeheartedly for the good of the people and the country.
“I am confident, Insyallah, the people will support the government’s initiatives for the common good,” he said, urging the people to rally behind Najib’s government.