Be wise in choosing the next govt, says Pak Lah

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has urged Malaysians to exercise wisdom and rationality when they choose the party that will helm the government.

GE14, he said, would determine the ability of the country to face previously unheralded challenges.

“Any government comprising people of differing and opposing political ideologies who only come together for the sole purpose of wresting political power will not and cannot be good for the country.

“It is unwise to elect leaders who share the same bed yet have different dreams,” he said in a statement.

Pak Lah said Malaysia’s tremendous progress since independence was possible due to its political stability steered by sincere leaders who formulated progressive policies.

“An election is not a game of chance; nor is it an excuse to change for the sake of changing as there is no system that is perfect.

“Malaysians should distinguish between what is real and achievable and what are mere promises made just to fish for votes,” he added.

Abdullah said, as a former leader, he hoped to see a higher level of political maturity among candidates.

“The people’s interests should be the primary concern, and not the agenda or political ambition of any particular group of individual,” he said.

“I plead to my fellow citizens to exercise their democratic rights and duties peacefully and responsibly without ill feelings and animosity.

“Whether we progress or regress, live in misery or prosperity, live in dignity or ignominy, is all in our hands and for us to decide.”