Najib: Opposition trying to copy BN methods

PEKAN: The Barisan Nasional government’s success in helping the people have led to the opposition trying to imitate its methods, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The opposition, he said, had labelled the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) as dedak (animal feed), yet it promised to provide similar assistance in its election manifesto.

“When the increased BR1M payout was announced, which reflects the government’s sound economic policy, the opposition had nothing to say, even though it used to call the aid dedak.

“The opposition only knows how to mock and slander, but the government is the one helping the people, especially the poor and needy.”

Najib was speaking at a gathering of more than 2,500 people comprising Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia entrepreneurs, civil servants and the private sector at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Convention Centre yesterday.

He said government aid, under his administration, reached the people “all the way to their kitchen”. In comparison, he said, the previous government had only built roads up to people’s homes.

At the same time, he highlighted that revenue collected through the Goods and Services Tax was returned to the people.

Malaysians who benefited the most from it were those from the Bottom 40 income bracket, he said.

“It is different from the other side (the opposition) as they view Bumiputera institutions as not in line with the ‘Malaysian Malaysia’ concept (as championed by DAP).

“They will do something about it (Mara).

“It is important that a ‘Malay tsunami’ does not happen as that is what they (the opposition) are trying to do.

“The Malays and Bumiputeras must continue to have faith in Umno and BN to safeguard their future,” said Najib, who is Umno president and BN chairman.

He urged the people not to heed the opposition as it continued to blame him and the government for everything that went wrong.

It is believed that Najib was referring to the closure of The Loaf, a premium bakery allegedly linked to opposition prime ministerial candidate Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Najib pointed out the absurdity of certain quarters who blamed him and the government for The Loaf ’s closure.

“(The opposition claims that) everything is someone else’s fault. The (1985) Memali incident (in Baling, Kedah, in which 14 villagers and four policeman were killed), is someone else’s fault.

“The RM31.5 billion losses (from Bank Negara Malaysia foreign exchange dealings during Dr Mahathir’s administration between 1991 and 1994) are also someone else’s fault.

“The Maminco (Sdn Bhd incident in the early 1980s, in which RM600 million losses were sustained in an alleged failed bid to corner the London tin market) is someone else’s fault.

“Proton at risk of closing is someone else’s fault.

“A bakery closing down is also someone else’s fault.”

The Malays and Bumiputeras must continue to have faith in Umno and BN to safeguard their future. DATUK SERI NAJIB RAZAK