Not Crazy For Power, Says Najib
(Bernama) Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he was not like someone who was crazy for power for the sake of power only.
"I don't craze for power for the sake of power but I need power to serve the people and ensure successful nationbuilding.
"But there are some people who cannot wait to be in power," he said at a function in his honour at the Finance Ministry here.
"Power is only a means to an end and the end is about serving the people and nation," he said obviously hitting at a certain opposition leader.
Najib said to reach where he was now, he did not "take an express bus" but a "normal bus which journeyed 33 years in his political career".
Najib said the experience made him not only ready but humbled to take on such a heavy responsibility.
He said this was why he needed everyone's cooperation to carry out the responsibility entrusted to him.
The Prime Minister said one of the people's yardsticks was how the government managed the economy.
He said the people would accept the existing government if it could carry out its duties well.
"The public will like us, businessmen will like us, smallholders will like us and this will translate into greater support for us," he said.
The function was held to celebrate the appointments of Najib as prime minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah as Finance Minister II and Datuk Wira Chor Chee Heung and Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin as deputy finance ministers.
It was also to appreciate the services of former Finance Minister II Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop who is now Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and former Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha who has been made Housing and Local Government Minister.
Najib, who is also Finance Minister, said Nor Mohamed's experience in handling the 1997 financial crisis made him very suited to handle the nation's economic planning through the Economic Planning Unit.
He said Ahmad Husni's experience as Deputy Finance Minister before this would hold him in good stead in his new role.
As for Kong, Najib said he (Kong) now held an important portfolio in terms of delivery and services to the people.
