TASEK GELUGOR: Policies on national administration are not determined by a specific individual but by the ruling party and the people, says Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was making efforts to topple him because he (Najib) chose to be a prime minister who gave priority to the needs of the people and party when making decisions.
“Frankly, I know Tun Mahathir is obsessed with control. I have two choices, whether to be a prime minister who has to refer to him and get approval, or I become a prime minister who makes decisions based on the needs of the people and party.
“If I choose the latter, it was a matter of time he would be attacking me as he did Pak Lah (former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) as Pak Lah did not listen to him.
“So, how long can we continue to live in this situation…as it would eventually lead to a feud…?” he asked when opening the Tasek Gelugor Umno division delegates conference and the launching of Penang Barisan Nasional Merdeka Month here yesterday.
Najib said he was not alone in championing the dignity and sovereignty of the nation; in fact, Umno members and the people were behind him.
He said the government’s policies were presently on the right track as it received recognition from abroad, especially the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) which was described as the best measure by 35 economists of the United Kingdom.
The prime minister however, conceded that as a country, it was not immune to weaknesses but all would be resolved through negotiations.
“There are certain weaknesses…no nation is perfect. I admit not all governments are perfect but do not topple (the government) as this is our inheritance and does not belong to any individual.
“It is owned by the Malays from the beginning until now,” he said. — Bernama