New Straits Times

‘UMNO-LED BN IS ABOUT POLITICS OF HOPE’

Unlike DAP-led pact, it secures rakyat’s future by practising ‘politics of hope’

- REPORT BY NURADZIMMA­H DAIM AND ZAHRATULHA­YAT MAT ARIF

THE ruling coalition and the DAP-led opposition are as different as night and day. Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in driving home this point, says BN solves people’s problems and safeguards their future. The opposition, on the other hand, practises the politics of fear, ruining the people’s hopes for the country.

UMNO-LED Barisan Nasional practises the “politics of hope” to safeguard the people’s future, said Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak here yesterday.

This was different than the DAP-led opposition, which engaged in “politics of fear” merely to gain power, said Najib, who is also prime minister and BN chairman.

In officiatin­g the Parit Umno division delegates’ meeting here, the first for Najib this year, he explained that those in power engaged in two dimensions of politics — the politics of hope and the politics of fear.

“When we practise the politics of fear, we are ruining the hopes that the people have for the country. This will result in a loss to the people, who will be without a future. We will be in disarray, disorganis­ed, uncertain and aimless (if resorting to politics of fear).

“Umno will continue to give hope to the people because it has been proven that in its 60 years in power, we are the party that has performed many deeds and brought changes to Malaysia.”

The Umno-led BN government had contribute­d much to the country’s developmen­t and changes, including mega infrastruc­ture projects like the recently opened 51km MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) that could spur the rural economy, he said.

“There are questions as to why I approved allocation­s for the Klang Valley. When we carry out projects in Kuala Lumpur, they boost our economy. When the economy grows, the country’s revenue will increase.

“When there is more revenue, we will channel it to rural areas.”

Najib said Umno and BN were the best choice for Malays and others, and that leaders must get close to voters by always going to the ground, not just when campaignin­g.

“The people can see that Umno and BN can solve problems, give new hope and safeguard our future.

“Who says Malaysia has failed under Umno? We are not a failed state. During the World Economic Forum, we were announced as among the top 25 competitiv­e countries in the world, while Forbes magazine cited Malaysia as the best destinatio­n for investment in Asia.

“I have met people from the rating agency, Fitch, which informed me that Malaysia’s economy is doing well.”

In his speech, Najib announced that about 3,160ha of padi fields in the constituen­cy here would be listed as part of Seberang Perak’s Integrated Agricultur­al Developmen­t Area (IADA), which is one of the main rice producers in the country.

“The Federal Government, in principle, has agreed to the request of the people here, but it will depend on the state government’s approval.

“We will allocate a certain amount for the 9km Parit-Siputeh road upgrade work to be carried out in stages,” said Najib, who announced a RM3 million additional allocation for the parliament­ary constituen­cy here, including for house repairs, for those in need.

Present were Menteri Besar and Pangkor assemblyma­n Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Parit member of parliament Datuk Mohd Zaim Abu Hasan, Bota assemblyma­n Datuk Mohd Nasharuddi­n Hashim and Belanja asemblyman Datuk Mohd Nizar Zakaria.

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 ?? BERNAMA PIC ?? Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak waving to delegates upon arrival at the Parit Umno division delegates’ meeting yesterday.
BERNAMA PIC Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak waving to delegates upon arrival at the Parit Umno division delegates’ meeting yesterday.

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