I will prioritise rakyat: Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s priority in Parliament would be to serve the rakyat and be a constructive opposition to the current Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.

Making his first appearance at the Dewan Rakyat as an opposition MP, the former premier said he has accepted the fact that he was no longer in the government and making the calls.

Najib attended the swearing-in ceremony yesterday on the back of Barisan Nasional’s (BN) poorest showing and first ever defeat in a general election on May 9.

“I will prioritise the rakyat, and will serve them. I want to be a strong constructive opposition, and play a role to ensure that the country’s democracy is upheld and remains healthy,” he said when met at Parliament lobby yesterday.

The Pekan MP also reminded the government to be more democratic in Parliament, reminding the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led PH that BN had always practised constructive democracy when they were in power.

“When we (BN) were the government, we were always blamed for various issues. So now they (PH) should show that opportunities for the Opposition to voice out should not be restricted,” he said.

May 9 proved to be the fall of Najib after the coalition he led lost to PH in the 14th general election.

The former Umno president subsequently stepped down as the prime minister a day after polling day, before also relinquishing all his positions in BN and Umno.

Najib is also under probe for his involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad, and was recently charged for criminal breach of trust and abuse of power.