Malaysians enjoy greater freedom of speech under Najib, Salleh says

Malaysians are enjoying economic growth and freedom to express themselves because of the transformative and multiculturalist leadership of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, said Communication and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak.

“History has shown that many world leaders are losing while attempting to make changes,” he stated, pointing to the failures of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s failed attempts to introduce glasnost and perestroika, and former Indonesian president BJ Habibie’s attempted reformation of the military.

Salleh also highlighted de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim trying to bring reforms in BN while he was deputy prime minister, “sacked and imprisoned by his own political mentor.”

“This shows that to be a transformative leader, it is not easy, not to mention that if the changes involve a multicultural society.

“However, it is not (difficult) for Najib Abdul Razak. Despite many changes, he has remained PM until now. This is because of his multiculturalist transformational leadership (which is) democratic and ‘people-centric.’”

Salleh (photo) claimed that Malaysians are not just prosperous due to Najib’s policies, but are also enjoying freedom of speech.

“No restriction is imposed on those who criticise him and his wife, his cabinet ministers, and his party in social media and those who take to the street to hold demonstrations.

“In fact, there are no arrests such as Operation Lalang on opposition leaders and civil society who continuously criticise, spread slander and disseminate false news on his administration,” he wrote on his blog.

The minister stressed that Malaysians should be “grateful” to Najib for the changes his administration has brought to the country.

“Indeed, Najib has successfully led the BN government, making Malaysia more democratic, upholding the people's sovereignty, distributing economic opportunities equally, establishing a welfare administration, and implementing moderate Islamic rule.

“Looking forward, we should be grateful for being led by Najib Razak, a transformative and multiculturalist leader.”

- Bernama