PM GRATEFUL FOR NEW ERA

People no longer suspicious of government, says Dr M

PRIME Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed his gratitude to Allah as Muslims in the country can celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha in peace and harmony under the new government’s leadership.

“Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha to all Malaysians who are Muslims.

“(The people of) our country no longer feel suspicious of the government, which adheres to the principles of Islam.

“I once again wish to express our gratitude to Allah as our country has recovered,” he said via a video message on Twitter and Facebook.

About 3,000 Malaysian armed forces (MAF) officers and personnel have been assigned to monitor the country’s borders during the Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration to safeguard the nation.

Its chief, General Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, said while the majority of Muslims celebrated Hari Raya Aidiladha, the armed forces personnel were responsible for safeguarding the borders from threats that came in various forms.

“When the majority of Muslims are on holiday to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha and perform their respective sacrificial ritual, our military personnel continue to sacrifice for the country by carrying out their duties to ensure that the nation’s sovereignty is protected,” he said after officiating the MAF-sponsored sacrificial slaughter of 21 cows at the Khalid Al-Walid Mosque in Jalan Padang Tembak here yesterday.

Zulkifli said the meat would be distributed to the mosque committee members, the poor and underprivileged, as well as the local community.