PM: DON’T BE FOOLED BY OPPOSITION
Verify info to ensure fairness and to avoid slander, says Najib
DO not be influenced by seditious remarks spread by opposition parties as they would raise only seasonal issues, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.
He said this could be seen in the 13th General Election, where the Lynas rare earth issue was hotly debated as the opposition claimed the plant was hazardous to people’s health.
“Despite the International Atomic Energy Agency saying that the plant is safe and will not affect public safety, the opposition continued to create an issue.
“Now, five years after the election, the issue has become quiet.
“The Lynas issue was raised to dupe us. Same applies to the black-out issue when counting votes in Bentong. Polling closed at 5pm and it was bright when counting began.”
Najib said this at the fish harvesting and meet-the-people programme followed by “Jamuan Rakyat” in Kampung Paya Chempaka in Lanchang here yesterday.
Present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib and Lanchang assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin.
Najib reminded the people not to be duped by cerita karut marut (folk tales), and urged them to verify and obtain accurate information.
“In Islam, we have the tabayyun concept, which advises us to verify news to ensure we are fair and to avoid slander.
“Do not get carried away with the opposition, because when it does something, it might be done to influence us.”
Najib said the government needed a strong mandate from the people so that its voice would be heard when raising matters with foreign counterparts.
He cited the boycott of palm oil by European Union countries recently.
“We want to form a strong government so that when I meet leaders of other countries, we have a better say.”