BN SPIN: Najib, a gentleman and big-hearted leader

KUALA LUMPUR -- People still perceive Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as a gentleman and big hearted leader for his courage to openly apologise for the mistakes made by the Barisan Nasional (BN) despite the unfortunate political tsunami which ensued in the 12th General Election (GE12).

Political analyst Dr Chandra Muzaffar said the BN chairman's sincerity in owning up to his mistakes was proof that the party leadership was willing to change itself.

"They (BN leadership) are not only attempting to bring about political change but change within BN itself for the good of all. This approach certainly reflects our culture," he told Bernama.

The political tsunami in GE12 in 2008 resulted in BN losing Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Perak as well as failing to wrest Kelantan while its component parties MCA, Gerakan, MIC and PPP were trounced in parliamentary seats.

The Prime Minister also apologised to the people of Kedah and Selangor for BN's inadvertent mistakes in strategy which led to their being rejected in the states at the time.

Universiti Malaya, Malay Studies Academy director Assoc Prof Dr Zainal Abidin Borhan said this commendable attitude had indirectly raised Najib's popularity and inspired confidence among the people that BN should be given another mandate under his leadership in the upcoming 13th General Election (GE13).

"Even when the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat was announced, the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange did not dip, instead there were foreign funds coming in. It shows that investors are confident of Najib's rule and BN's four-year record of achievements which proves they are capable of delivering their pledge," he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress deputy president Amir Amsa Alla Pitchay said such an apology from a leader was unheard of in the history of Malaysia.

"It may seem like a small thing but it shows that the Prime Minister is genuinely sorry about what happened in 2008 and has learned from the experience and is making amends for it," he said.

Malaysia Hindu Sangam president RS Mohan Shanmugam said Najib's apology should not be belittled or viewed as a tactic to garner votes because it was repeated sincerely before the people a number of times.

"The Indian community has benefited a lot under Najib's rule, especially in education with allocations to Tamil schools. His actions should raise the awareness of BN leaders because it would not achieve the desired results if a handful of them are still holding on to their old ways," he said.

Public relations executive S. Diniasha, 28, admitted that she was touched by Najib's apology and felt that people should give BN a second chance as it had brought about many people-centred changes such as the 1Malaysia Peoples Housing programme.

Engineer Norhisham Abdul Mutalib, 36, was of the opinion that Najib's actions showed that he was also hoping people would stop punishing BN in GE13.

"In his humble way, the Prime Minister is depending on the people to give the present government another mandate so that they can continue improving and develop the nation for the next five years," he said.

-- BERNAMA