Prime minister reminds civil servants that opposition intends to reduce size of civil service and sack senior government officers if it came to power.
Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto filled with ridiculous pledges that can bankrupt the government, says Najib Razak.
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Najib Razak has criticised the political opposition for insulting and belittling the country’s 1.6 million civil servants.
He cited a statement by PPBM deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir that the opposition Pakatan Harapan would sack senior government officers if it came to power after the 14th general election.
“It is most saddening, I feel really disappointed when opposition leaders belittle and insult civil servants.
“But, ladies and gentlemen, let them be. What is certain is that today the Barisan Nasional government is always concerned about and takes care of the welfare of civil servants,” Najib said at the 16th Premier Civil Service Gathering attended by about 10,000 civil servants, here.
The gathering is an annual event where the prime minister delivers his message to civil servants in the various services at the federal, state and local government levels as well as government-linked companies.
Najib said the words of the opposition pact had hurt the feelings of civil servants.
Citing another example, he said the Penang Institute, a body under the Penang government, had proposed on Oct 22, 2016, when analysing Budget 2017 that the number of civil servants be reduced to 430,000.
“This means that 1.2 million civil servants would lose their jobs and a means of livelihood,” Najib said.
He added that the BN government would continue to defend the dignity and interests of civil servants whom he described as loyal friends and the main pillars of the government.
‘Uncompleted tunnel’
He questioned the opposition claim of Malaysia being a failed state despite the country’s various achievements.
As far as he knew, what had failed was the uncompleted tunnel, he said, in reference to the proposed undersea tunnel in Penang.
He also said that when Penang was ravaged by floods, the state government had pleaded for help from the federal government and the civil servants had to go to the rescue.
“If that is not a failure, what more can you say?”
In opposition-ruled Selangor, the supply of sufficient treated water had been a problem for almost 10 years, Najib said. “That is a real failure. The situation has gone to the extent of people in the state saying that ‘the leaders get the votes, (but) the people get pails’,” he said.
The prime minister also described Pakatan Harapan’s election manifesto as populist but unrealistic. Pakatan proposed to abolish the Goods and Services Tax, highway tolls, excise duties and the National Higher Education Fund.
The proposals would cost the government RM416.6 billion in lost revenue, he said.
“What I find strange is how they can think of abolishing all these, as stated in their manifesto. If that is what they wish to do, Malaysia is expected to lose national revenue. These are ridiculous pledges that can bankrupt the country if implemented,” he said. -FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.