Najib & Co. (Part 1)

ARCHIVES 2009

By admin-s On Jul 10, 2009

(The Nut Graph)

"Give me a chance. I will reform and I will make changes."

Then Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, speaking at a press conference at the Umno general assembly in April 2009, days before he was made prime minister.

He said he was aware that some parties expected him to act in an authoritarian manner after he took over the premiership from former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Najib pleaded with the people to give him a chance and judge him by his actions, which would "come in due course". (Source: Najib wants 'One Malaysia', The Malaysian Insider, 1 April 2009)

"Tell them the truth."

Najib, advising leaders to be truthful to the people. He said this was one of the best ways to win the people's trust and confidence. (Source: Be truthful to the people, PM tells leaders, Bernama, 7 May 2009)

Despite Najib's effort to promote honesty and truthfulness, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil continues to refuse to make public the Penan task force report, and will not say why.

The task force was commissioned in October 2008 by former minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen to investigate allegations of sexual violations against Penan girls and women in the Sarawak interior.

In another case, the Port Klang Free Zone report was only made public on 28 May 2009 following public pressure on Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat. Even so, the report was released on three conditions and for a limited period only.