LOOK WHO'S TALKING: Don't pick hypocrites as leaders - Najib

KANGAR- PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak cautioned the people that they would face an uncertain future if they chose to be led by leaders who were hypocrites.

Speaking at the 12th Jelajah Janji DiTepati programme at Stadium Utama here yesterday, Najib said unlike the Barisan Nasional government, the opposition had failed to fulfil its pledges made in the 2008 general election, particularly in states now controlled by them.

"Let us not be led by hypocrites whose characteristics, as laid down by Prophet Muhammad, are, among others: when they speak they lie; when they are given responsibilities, they fail to carry them out; and, when they promise something, they do not fulfil it."

Najib, who arrived at the function greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of about 45,000, recalled the many promises made by the opposition parties en-route to making unprecedented inroads in 2008 and questioned why they had not been fulfilled.

"Where are their promises (of assistance) to single mothers, housewives, senior citizens, lowering of rental for shopkeepers and flat dwellers in states controlled by them?" Najib asked.

He then proceeded to ask the crowd what kind of promises had been made by the opposition and the deafening reply was, "Janji kosong!" (empty promises).

Asked what type of promises the BN government made, the crowd replied, "Janji ditepati!" (promises fulfilled)

Najib told the crowd that the Federal Government would continue to assist Perlis, which is the smallest state in the country, if it was returned to power.

He also announced that 10,000 units of affordable PR1MA houses would be built in the state.

Najib said the government had been able to fulfil its promises to the people and had proven its ability to manage the economy well despite the global financial crisis.

"Ever since we implemented the national transformation policies four years ago, we have been doing well despite the bleak economic outlook elsewhere, such as in the United States and Europe.

"Last year, Malaysia bucked the trend with its economy expanding by 5.6 per cent because our work was carried out with vision, good plans and effective implementation.

"We also did not promise anything that were unrealistic and could not be fulfilled."

Najib added that the opposition was now worried because the government was organising Jelajah Janji DiTepati programmes, which reminded the people that BN had fulfilled all its promises.

He said the opposition was not even capable of registering its coalition, therefore, its election manifesto could not be trusted.

"They are still going to the election under their separate banners.

"Whatever they promised in their joint manifesto is not legally or morally binding because they are not even capable of registering their coalition.

"They can't even decide who among them will be prime minister."

- New Straits Times