They are running out of ideas, says Rais

ST PETERSBURG (Russia): The opposition has run out of ideas and is pinching the work of the Barisan government, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said.

“These (National Day) themes were used by the Information Department in its booklets on unity published in 2009,” said Dr Rais, who was attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 9th Telecommunications and Information Ministerial Meeting here.

He was responding to reports that the Pakatan Rakyat was distancing itself from the federal theme of Janji Ditepati.

Dr Rais said the move by the opposition parties to come out with their own themes for the National Day celebrations this year was a political game to embarass the Barisan Nasional.

This was especially so when there were predictions that the general election would be held this year, the Information, Communications and Culture Minister said.

The Pakatan leadership chose the themeSebangsa, Senegara, Sejiwa( One nation, One Country, One Soul) for the celebration, which Selangor and Penang have adopted for their statelevel celebrations to mark the country’s 55th year of independence.

Kelantan, however, had adopted the theme Menerajui Perubahan (Spearheading Change) while Kedah had opted for Terus Berbakti (Continue Serving).

In SHAH ALAM, Selangor Barisan coordinator Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed said Pakatan’s chosen theme of Sebangsa Senegara Sejiwa was a mockery of the coalition itself.

“Their ‘one spirit’ theme is a mere gimmick as Pakatan leaders have shown once again they do not practise what they preach,” he said, referring to Kelantan and Kedah, which had earlier chosen to have their own themes instead of the common Pakatan theme.

In ALOR SETAR, Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang rapped the Pakatan-ruled states for using different National Day themes, saying the move did not portray the unity the Federal Government wished to instil in the celebration.

“The parties are attempting to divide the people by using different themes,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Kedah Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Paduka Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said: “I suspect they are afraid to use the Janji Ditepati theme as it would backfire on their failure to fulfill their promises.”