Rais firm on 'Janji Ditepati', says it's cabinet decision

There will be no budge on this year's 'Janji Ditepati' national day slogan that was collective cabinet decision, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim says.

His ministry will stand by the slogan and will stay firm despite the fierce criticism that it is partisan in nature, Rais adds in a Twitter posting today.

"'55 Tahun Merdeka, Janji Ditepati' (55 years of Independence, Promise fulfilled) is a cabinet decision... Information Ministry remains firm with the theme and will not budge," he posted onTwitter.

In the same posting, Rais also launched a broadside against English daily The Malay Mail for its editorial criticising the national day theme and the minister himself.

"What is being played by Malay Mail is politics by the opposition which is uncomfortable with the government's successes thus far... The opposition and its allies are feeling pressured with this slogan because it is obvious they have no achievement record," Rais twittered.

This is the second day of his tirade against the English daily. His posting yesterday was: "Malay Mail shows its true opposition colour today in its lead misleading story.".

Rais said in his posting today that it was the "responsibility" of the Information Ministry to interpret the successes of the nation in the last 55 years.

"During the season of our independence anniversary, this has to be appreciated and celebrated. The past efforts and struggles should be remembered," he adds.