PM Najib: Opposition only raises rakyat's issues during election season

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today rapped the opposition for raising seasonal issues, especially when general election is around the corner.

As such, Najib hoped that the people in the country would not fall for the opposition’s bait because as the ruling government, BN had done and would always make various changes and transformation for the best interest of the people.

For example, he said in the 2013 general election, the opposition had brought up issues related to Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the rare-earth processing plant near Kuantan, Pahang, which they claimed to be unsafe for the local residents.

“Even the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had concluded that the plant was safe and for five years after the election, nothing was said about the issue. It proved that the opposition only raised it to cheat us.

“The same thing happened with the blackout issue in Bentong, the ballot boxes were closed at 5pm and the counting could still be done then, it was still bright,” he said.

Najib said this in his speech at the meet-and-greet and people’s feast event at Ikan Paya Estate in Kampung Chempaka, Lanchang today, which was also attended by Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob and Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Also present was Deputy Human Resources Minister Ismail Abd Muttalib and Lanchang assemblyperson Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin, who is also Pahang Tourism and Culture Committee chairperson.

Najib, who is BN chairperson, also rapped the opposition’s move, especially by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in meeting with representatives of the European Union and complaining about the country’s election system.

“...that is the system that has made him (Mahathir) the prime minister for 22 years. Now, he’s complaining that the system is unfair. If it is unfair, he would have lodged his complaint long ago.

“The truth is the system is a fair system. We cannot cheat (during the counting of ballots) because the counting agents are there... the opposition has their representatives there too. If anything goes wrong, they can lodge complaints,” he said.

In this regard, Najib advised the people to double check each news story propagated by the opposition, as the concept was in line with the principle of tabayyun in Islam, that is to seek clear vision of things so as to avoid injustice.

The prime minister also expressed hope that the people would continue giving their support and mandate to the ruling BN government in GE14, so that more development programmes could be carried out for the people.

“We need a strong government. When our government is strong, then I can meet with other governments to help the people.

"We can give an ultimatum to those who disrespect us,” he said, referring to the stand taken by France to support Malaysia as it was not in favour of the ban and discrimination against palm oil at the national and EU levels.

He said the decision followed his meeting with France Armed Forced Minister Florence Parly recently.

- Bernama