Listen To People's Woes And Improve Weaknesses, Says Pak Lah. But Why Only Now?

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants leaders of the Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to listen to the problems of the people and overcome whatever weaknesses they have so as to continue to get the people's support.

The Prime Minister said if these measures were taken, he was confident that the people would continue to support the ruling government and give the mandate to the coalition to continue to lead the country.

"Please listen to their woes and correct our mistakes. If we succeed in doing so, they will support us," he said at the Chinese New Year gathering organised by the Penang Gerakan and MCA, here Friday.

Abdullah, who is also the BN chairman, said since the BN helmed the country's administration, the coalition had succeeded in bringing changes and progress to the country.

"We are not a government that has failed, we are also not a party that has failed. We have succeeded in bringing development to the country which comprises a plural society that practices various religions and cultures.

The Prime Minister conceded that in administering a multi-racial country, the BN had to face numerous problems. "I never deny that we have problems. Yes, we have to face some challenges but we can solve them," he said.

Abdullah wanted component parties of the BN which was administering the country based on the power-sharing concept to continue to cooperate in resolving the problems faced to ensure that the country enjoyed continued prosperity.

"The most important thing that the people desire is to see that solidarity and the spirit of close cooperation between the various races are maintained if the BN government continues to remain in power," he said.

He said none of the BN component parties would succeed if there was no cooperation between them. "It doesn't matter whether it's the MIC, People's Progressive Party (PPP) or the other component parties. All must cooperate for the success of the BN and we will also fail if we make no effort to improve our weaknesses," he said.

He said after 50 years of independence achieved through power-sharing between the various races, it was not the time to concede defeat and stop developing the country. On the contrary, the government was committed to add value to the existing progress for the success of the next 50 years.

Earlier in his speech at the Chinese New Year gathering organised by the Chinese Assembly Hall here, Abdullah urged the people to unite and work hard for greater progress in future. "I am also working harder not for my personal gain but to fulfil my responsibilities to the people," he said. (Bernama)

***** The one thing which distinguishes Pak Lah from the rest of our politicians is the obvious sincerity in his appeals and advice. A Najib or Khir Toyo public address for instance will drip with absolutely faked sincerity. But with the PM it's different. Take the above speech for example. He probably means what he says. However none of his well-intentioned ideas are ever translated into solid action at the ground level! Either he is duping us wholesale (which I personally doubt) or he is unable to implement his plans due to incompetence, political obstruction from within Umno or both. Civil service hindrance and inertia is of course another possibility.

Also questionable is the timing of this and other pro-muhibbah speeches. The dilemma among many Malaysians now is whether to give these umnoputeras another mandate, hoping against hope that they'll establish some sort of equal treatment for all citizens.The risk however is that this will enable them to continue to run riot within the country for another five years. What a choice!
Image - Source