Video Interview: Malaysian PM on KL protests
By Malaysia Today
In this video interview, Prime Minister Najib Razak sits down with CNN’s John Defteriosto to discuss financial concerns regarding the European zone and the United States, and the protests over electoral reforms in Malaysia last weekend.
The interview was conducted then Najib was in the United Kingdom to cement economic ties with Britain .
Last year, Malaysia exported US$30 billion ($36.5 billion) worth of goods to the euro zone. Currently, he hopes to ink a free trade agreement with the European Union in 2012.
In this interview, he gives his comments talks about the US debt and the recent Bersih rally.
At the 2:05 point of the interview, CNN’s John Defteriosto asks Najib why there was ‘such a high level of protests’
Najib’s response was (note the lapses of ‘ers’ & ‘and’ which appeared more often than in preceding statements of the interview etc.) :
“Well John, er it is basically politics ..er.. because er..there is democracy in Malaysia and we are committed towards er electoral reform . I’ve, you know come out to say that we are all for clean and fair elections and ..and and as you know the last general election er you know the the the the ruling party lost five states and we’re deprived of five states…..”
When asked if he was satisfied with the security response to the particular round of protests, Najib said “It was QUITE MILD er you know because although they were..they were taken in, but they were released after 8 ..8 hours and they were treated very well. There was no undue use of force…and and and you know the demonstrators were dispersed using minimum force….”
