‘Duty of leaders to explain policies to rakyat’

PKR LEADERS at every level, especially in each state, have a duty to explain the policies, programmes and agenda of the government to the people, said Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

In her final winding-up speech as party president, Wan Azizah said there was no problem in being critical and offering different views if they helped improve existing weaknesses.

She was addressing party members on the final day of the 13th PKR National Congress at the Ideal Convention Centre .

“Who else will explain to the rakyat (people) about our policies if not you, ladies and gentlemen?

“I am urging both the committees and information bureaus at both state and national level to be proactive and get down to every corner of the country and meet as many people as possible to clarify government policies and issues that crop up.”

“Do not let the rakyat question and wonder what the government has done.

“They question only because they they don’t see, or are not getting an explanation from us,” said Wan Azizah, who is also the deputy prime minister.

To illustrate her point, she added that her portfolio as Women, Family and Community Development minister had introduced several new initiatives and received the support of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Cabinet.

They include the I-Suri, Women Leadership Initiative, MySME Lady, Kawan Programme and National Child Wellbeing Roadmap. “In addition, Alhamdulilah (praise be to God), among our successes is the one where we convinced the Council of Malay Rulers to increase the marriageable age of females from 16 to 18.

“I call on other states to follow in the footsteps of Selangor in supporting this effort,” she said.

On the issue of PKR’s election, Wan Azizah called on every member of the party to accept the party election results.

The PKR polls were held over nine weeks.