PM Najib makes error in dissolution speech

Najib in his haste to dissolve Parliament fumbles on dissolution date.

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak made a faux pas in his dissolution speech this morning, which was telecast live nationwide.

Many did not realise that Najib said: “Pada pagi ini, saya telah pun menghadap Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong dan menyembah warkah kepada baginda memohon perkenaan supaya parlimen ke-12 dibubarkan pada hari ini Rabu, 3 April 2012”.

(“I had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and delivered the letter to dissolve the 12th Parliament (session) today, Wednesday, April 3,2012.”

Going by Najib’s speech, Parliament was dissolved last year and not 2013.

Meanwhile in his 15-minute speech, Najib, clad in a dark lounge suit and red tie with Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin by his side, made a strong plea to the rakyat to give a strong mandate to the ruling Barisan Nasional government.

“Thank you for trusting us for the past five years. With the dissolution, my colleagues and I will now go to every corner of this nation to explain why we need to be given a strong mandate for a good and meaningful future,” he said.

Looking calm in the announcement which was also attended by all cabinet Ministers, Najib said every single vote was important.

“Every single vote is important. Do not gamble your future. You are responsible to chart the future of your children.

“You are also responsible to choose your representatives and a government that would carry your aspirations,” he added.

He also urged the federal opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, to give its commitment in ensuring the 13th general election would take place peacefully.

“Do not poison the mind of the people with doubts and spoil the integrity of the election process. The political parties in the government and the opposition must be responsible and show its commitment,” said Najib.

He added that the politicians here should learn the lesson of foreign countries where governments fell because the election results are not trusted by the people.

“The results were rejected by the people. The nation became unstable and their economy plummeted.

“We have a credible, fair, and transparent election process with the support of the majority of the people. Difference of opinion and ideas are not causes for us to break apart,” Najib said.