Najib: BN must be brave enough to change for the better

Written by Yong Min Wei, The Edge 

Barisan Nasional (BN) remains relevant to the political landscape and is prepared to move ahead as a coalition provided it has no extra baggage.

In an effort to raise the spirits of the ruling coalition, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said BN must continue to prove its critics wrong especially following its victory in the Bagan Pinang by-election, stressing that it must have the courage and conviction to change for the better.

He said all BN component parties be it Gerakan, MCA, MIC or PPP must play their role to reflect the change, as the ruling coalition must move together as a train and not be held back by internal conflict or squabbles.

“So if you have problems, solve them as quickly as possible. What are you waiting for?” the prime minister, who is also BN chairman, said at the opening of the Gerakan 38th national delegates conference today.

The prime minister was clearly sending a strong message to MCA to end its crisis quickly. The party was represented at the official opening by its secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng who declined to speak to reporters.

Najib pointed out that BN was moving on the right track as it had the right principle, policy and commitment endorsed by the rakyat to govern the nation. He added BN was still the sole political coalition that is relevant in the past, present and future.

“We hear the people. We hear the voice of the people. We will commit ourselves to the people of Malaysia,” he said to thunderous applause from the delegates.

Admitting that BN was “slightly out of touch” with the people before the 12th general election, he stressed the ruling coalition must be honest and humble with the political situation and work towards regaining the support of the people via its good track record.

The BN chairman also took a swipe at Pakatan Rakyat (PR) for being unable to come up with a proper shadow cabinet although it has championed the dual-party system and has often mooted the idea of taking over the federal government.

“Who is their (PR) finance minister? Who is their defence minister?” questioned Najib.

“It does not make sense for leaders from the peninsula to appoint leaders in Sabah,” said the prime minister in reference to PKR’s leadership problems in the East Malaysian state.

Meanwhile, Najib also brought cheer to Gerakan as he told the delegates that the appointment of the party’s president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon as minister in the Prime Minister’s Department should not be questioned as he (Najib) valued the participation of the party in the government.

“I appointed Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon because I value the role of Gerakan. I want the voice of Gerakan members to reach the government,” the prime minister said, adding that it was his prerogative to appoint ministers.

BN backbencher and Sri Gading MP Datuk Mohamad Aziz had called for Koh’s resignation last week for being ‘‘unable to carry out his duties effectively”.

Najib also pointed out that Umno could not be labelled a racist party as the education system in Malaysia allowed the implementation of vernacular schools, pointing out, “we are the only country in Southeast Asia that has Chinese schools”.

He added that if Umno was racist, it would have forced non-Malays to change their names, a practice akin to that of a neighbouring country.

Koh, in his address earlier, said the nation must not allow religion to be politicised and be used as a popular gimmick, noting that such attempts were dangerous and must be answered with the sanction of law.

He also said in the context of 1Malaysia, BN should rightly re-establish and re-assert itself as the true champion of “Perpaduan Malaysia”, and as such must heed the call for the reform of BN.

“We must go back to basics by reviving and practising the spirit of genuine power sharing, inclusiveness and sincere consultation,” added Koh.

He also said following the 12th general election, sceptics have sowed doubt on Gerakan’s viability as a political movement, but such perception was wrong as the party was sincere and able to continue to contribute to the nation’s destiny.