Najib: Be fair to all
By Simon Khoo and Nik Naizi Husin, TheStar
PEKAN: Barisan Nasional leaders must always be humble and treat all citizens equally, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
In issuing this reminder, the Prime Minister said being leaders, they must not feel that they were superior to or above the ordinary folk.
“We must be close to the people and be on the ground always to resolve problems of the constituents.
“Regardless of good or bad times, we must continue to look after the welfare and interests of the people,” he said in his speech during his open house at his Pekan parliamentary constituency in Dataran Pekan here yesterday.
Nearly 50,000 people from all walks of life turned up for the event.
They included the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah, his consort Sultanah Kalsom, Tengku Mahkota Tengku Abdullah, Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong) president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah and other dignitaries.
Najib said he believed all Barisan leaders knew of their responsibilities and would be at the forefront in times of need.
He said if they discharged their work responsibly, the people would continue to give them the necessary support in the next election.
On the open house tradition, Najib said it could help to foster closer understanding and mutual respect in a multi-racial society.
“We must open our hearts to all guests regardless of race or religion in line with the spirit of 1Malaysia.
“The open house is a good platform to nurture national unity based on the premise of 1Malaysia and this tradition must be preserved in years to come,” he said.
Later, in a separate function, Najib reminded pilgrims to safeguard the image of the country while performing their religious obligations in Mecca.
He said King Abdullah, of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, had praised Malaysian pilgrims as being among the best in conducting themselves and this positive image must not be marred.
Najib also praised the Lembaga Tabung Haji for its role in making arrangements for pilgrims to fulfill their obligations.
“Malaysia is the only country in the world which has an efficient organisation to help pilgrims by subsidising one third of the amount through its earnings,” he said.
