Najib says needs new mandate to solve Indian issues

KLANG, Jan 13 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak pleaded to an Indian crowd today to give the Barisan Nasional (BN) a new mandate and more time to resolve the many problems faced by the community, a key swing vote bank in the general elections.

The prime minister described his government’s efforts for the community as a work in progress, a day after he made a similar plea for re-election at an event organised by the Indian Progressive Front (IPF) in Semenyih, Selangor.

“Just like when we build a house, it will take time. But we have seen its frames,” Najib(picture) told a Ponggal festival crowd here.

“We know that if you put your trust in us and give a new mandate, slowly but surely this ‘house’ will be completed.”

Promising reform in the coalition, he urged the community to keep BN in Putrajaya, but boot Pakatan Rakyat (PR) out of the Selangor government.

“Four years is not enough ... we need more time to solve the rest of the problems,” Najib said, referring to the time which has passed since the last election.

The BN chairman also asked for more time to implement his government’s national transformation agenda, thus achieving the Vision 2020 put forward by former prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Other BN leaders who attended the festival were MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) president Datuk Seri M. Kayveas, MCA Selangor chairman Datuk Donald Lim, and BN Selangor vice-chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar.

Yesterday, Najib said the government recognised the contribution of Indians and would continue to do what it could to improve the community’s social and economic status.

“I pledge to double our efforts to help the Indian community and all Malaysians.

“But we need a strong and huge mandate for Barisan so that we can continue to make big improvements for the people,” he said.

Najib also promised ongoing reform by Umno and the government last night, saying his party was “open to criticism”.

His pledge came hours after thousands of Malaysians thronged the capital city to air their disappointment with the ruling BN government about various issues.

“Umno will always practise openness, to criticisms, and suggestions on improving the party,” Najib said when launching the party’s media appreciation dinner yesterday.

“We don’t reject criticism, provided that it is positive and based on facts.”