BN did not steal win in GE13, says Najib

Najib also gave his assurance that the government was capable of carrying out all changes it had pledged. — file picPUTRAJAYA, May 26 — The Barisan Nasional (BN) did not steal victory from the opposition in the 13th general election (GE13), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.  

He said Malaysia practised a parliamentary democratic system as enshrined in the federal constitution whereby BN had won general elections based on winning more seats to form the government and not based on the popular votes system.

“The claim that we stole victory from the opposition is a falsehood because we did not cheat in the recent GE13. 

“Show me the Bangladeshis who became voters? They (opposition) claimed 40,000 Bangladeshis converged on an airport, show which airport? Don’t drag a person just because he looked dark like a Bangladeshi,” he said when launching the 2013 Youth Festival, here, today. 

Also present were former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek. 

Najib said the supremacy and loftiness of the constitution was the main pillar of the nation but the people had avenues to voice their opinions in line with parliamentary democracy.

“Whatever we want to voice out must be centred on the constitution and cannot be done by the roadside by demanding and causing chaos leading to insecurity as it is not in line with the constitution.

“As the younger generation, we must understand the demands for change must be based on the constitution and Rule of Law. If not, the law of the jungle will prevail in our country,” he said.

At the same time, Najib suggested that the younger generation should think wisely and rationally and not to be taken in by instigation and fraud, specifically in cyberspace. 

He said most important in building a nation and future was that it must be based on common sense by picking truth over falsehoods and right over wrong. 

“If this can be fostered, if this can be nurtured among youth, God willing our future, the future of the youth and the beloved nation will continue to shine,” he said. 

Najib also gave his assurance that the government was capable of carrying out all changes it had pledged not only for the youth but also for the future of the nation.

“Believe that if you want changes to the nation, it need not necessarily be involved in street gatherings or bringing down what is in existence today.

“What is important we must understand what youth want and we provide the national administration which is suitable for youth,” he said.

During the ceremony, Najib also handed out three categories of 2013 National Youth Premier Awards (APBN) which were introduced in 1988, to recognise youth and youth organisations which had contributed towards development of youth in the country.

The Youth Organisation category was won by Malaysian Youth Club (MAYC) of Simpang Bekoh, Melaka which received cash RM50,000, trophy and certificate of appreciation.

Meanwhile, the Male category was won by Malaysian Youth Council’s vice-president Manndzri Nasib and the woman’s category by Halimah Abd Rahman from Persatuan Puteri Islam Malaysia, Sabah. They each took home cash of RM20,000, a trophy and certificates of appreciation. — Bernama