Najib remains unmoved, will press on

I must be committed to my duties and responsibilities whether as the MP for Pekan or the Prime Minister to safeguard the interests of nearly 30 million Malaysians, he says.

PEKAN: The Prime Minister, Najib Razak, has pledged to persevere with his duties as the nation’s No. 1 leader despite facing various challenges and pressures from within and outside the country.

“There’s nothing, all is as usual…I must be ‘istiqamah’ (committed) to my duties and responsibilities whether as the MP for Pekan or the Prime Minister to safeguard the interests of nearly 30 million Malaysians,” he said.

Najib, while at his constituency Aidilfitri open house here, had been asked by reporters for comment on the various challenges he faced especially since the 1Malaysia Development Berhad issue was brought up in a suit by the US Department of Justice.

Najib said the large turnout of guests at the open house, hosted by him and his wife Rosmah Mansor, clearly reflected the support of the people towards his leadership.

“Thank you for all the support all of you have shown me over the years. Indeed, my relationship with Pekan voters is very close and good, otherwise they would not have come. This open house is also one of my ways to mingle with those with rare opportunity to meet with me,” Najib said.

At the event, guests were served with a variety of dishes including ‘nasi arab’, roasted lamb, ‘puding raja’, and ‘satay’ with 165 stalls serving a wide array of food.

About 3,000 pieces of lemang and 5,000 pieces of ketupat were prepared through gotong-royong by the people in the Pekan parliamentary constituency.

Guests were also entertained to performances by popular local singers such as Datin Alyah, Ameng Spring, Azlan Typewriter.

About 50,000 guests, including people from Terengganu and Kuala Lumpur, attended the open house at Taman Tasik Sultan Abu Bakar, from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

The Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah, Sultanah Kalsom; the Tengku Mahkota Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah; the Tengku Puan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and their children, were at the open house.

The Tengku Mahkota, Tengku Abdullah, surprised the crowd by singing the song ‘Butakah Cinta’ which was popularised by local rock band Spring.

Tengku Abdullah, who celebrates his 57th birthday today, was in turn surprised with a cake and guests singing a birthday song for him.

Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob; Pekan Umno division deputy chief Abu Bakar Harun and state government leaders also attended the open house.

Earlier in the day, Najib attended a closed-door meeting with the Umno Information Technology Bureau. He arrived at 10.05am and was greeted by bureau chairman Ahmad Maslan. He spent about 30 minutes with representatives who attended the retreat.