PM Najib says no reason to dispute Merdeka theme

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak says there is no reason for anyone to dispute the theme, 'Janji Ditepati' (Promises Fulfilled) for this year's National Day celebration as it is a noble thing to do.

He said fulfillng promises was an Islamic as well as a universal principle, "so as Muslims, we should keep our promises".

"There is no reason to dispute this theme unless the person concerned is not used to keeping promises. I will defend this principle as a basic noble value.

"Our promise to Allah is the biggest, while with other people, they will only trust us if we keep our promises made to them," he said at a '1Malaysia Aidilfitri with the Prime Miniser' function in Alor Setar today.

The prime minister said making promises was not limited to the government or elected people's representatives, but ordinary people should also make promises.

"If you want the country to be peaceful, stable and more prosperous, the people must promise to contribute to peace and prosperity.

"Everybody have their own promises to God, fellow human beings and the government, so people will be more progressive and successful. If a government makes promies, it must fulfil the promises," he said.

Also present were the prime minister's wife Rosmah Mansor, Housing and Local Government Minister Chor Chee Heung, Kedah Umno liaison chief Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and his deputy Mukhriz Mahathir, who is also international trade and industry deputy minister.

The function, organised by Kedah Umno and Barisan Nasional, was attended by over 50,000 people, with each state Umno division and BN component party managing a foodstall.

- Bernama