Umno To Explain To People On Country’s Political Situation

(Bernama) – Umno will continue to explain to the people on the country's political situation in the run-up to the by-elections for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat and the Bukit Selambau state seat on April 7.

"I think the people will not support a group which defy and betray a Ruler, and to ensure Barisan Nasional's win in both the by-elections, we will continue to explain to the people on the country's political development," he told reporters after launching a oil palm replanting programme here today.

He said the opposition leaders, besides insulting the royal institution, were also arrogant and were not devoted to administering Perak.

He also wanted action be taken against a blogger for insulting the royal institution by twisting the facts on the situation in Perak.

"We also want the Energy, Communications and Water Ministry to study a form of action that could be taken against the blogger and to submit the proposal to the authorities," he added.

In another development, Muhammad, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the ministry was allocated RM1 billion under the economic stimulus package, of which RM264 million was for building of 8,000 houses under the Housing Aid Programme by the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) and another RM40 million for infrastructure projects.

He said that the RM16.89 million was allocated by the government under the Ninth Malaysia Plan for smallholders to carry out the replanting of oil palm to oil palm programme, covering 9,000 hectares.

In a related development, Muhammad said his ministry was working with the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry to draft a paper to the Cabinet on ways to help smallholders, in the eventuality of a further drop in commodity prices.