KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 – Datuk Seri Najib Razak told the MIC this morning that its leaders should be popular with voters and not just party members.
The prime minister’s remarks were a clear message that Barisan Nasional sees it as the MIC’s responsibility to win back Indian support.
Speaking at the MIC general assembly this morning, he set a target for the party to win back the backing of the Indian community for Barisan Nasional (BN).
But Najib’s comments this morning come as MIC faces its most closely-contested party elections in years, and one that is happening as the party’s popularity is at a particularly low point.
The Indian community abandoned BN in droves last year in reaction to what they see as Umno’s racial discrimination and the MIC’s inability to fight for any gains for them.
Najib stressed, however, that the mission of winning back voters was the same task for Umno, MCA and all other BN component parties that wanted to stay relevant.
Earlier, party delegates were on their feet cheering as Najib made a stirring appeal for the party to regain the confidence of the Indian community.
The MIC delegates applauding Datuk Seri Najib's speech. - Picture by Jack Ooi
The Prime Minister received a standing ovation from the delegates after laying down his Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the party to win back the Indians.
“I want MIC to win back the support of the Indian community, nothing else matter, just win back the support.”
He called on the party to work diligently to serve the people while steering clear of what they should not do.
“Serve the people and serve Malaysia.”
Najib pointed out that the voters today were not the same as the voters in the 50s and their eyes were open.
To be relevant, leaders must be in touch with the people to get their support, he said.
Najib added that leaders should adopt the attitude of ‘humble simplicity’ and said he himself had embarked on “walkabouts” to get close to the various communities soon after becoming Prime Minister.
“I enjoyed it because I was with the people of Malaysia and if I can do it, so can you,” he said.
“The people hate it when we are arrogant, show-off our wealth and are involved in abuse of power,” he said.
Najib also drove home his message of 1Malaysia which he said celebrates diversity and promotes fairness.
“Fairness for all, that’s 1 Malaysia.” he said adding that the concept was not only Islamic, which is a universal religion which promotes fairness but inline with the Constitution.
“Whether a poor Malay, Chinese or Indian, all will be helped and everyone has a rightful place under the sun,” he said.
He added BN was a proven institution and lashed out at Pakatan Rakyat (PR), as a marriage of convenience, who could not govern.
Citing Kampung Buah Pala, in Penang as an example he said “Where is the leader who said it would not be demolished?”
“PR makes promises they cannot keep while BN keeps its promise and will not make empty ones,” he said.
As mentioned earlier by MIC President Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, Najib said he had given the Indian community almost everything they had asked for, since becoming prime minister and would continue to provide.
However he said “We need the Indian community to respond. Show us that you are with BN.”
Earlier in his speech Najib stressed that Merdeka was achieved because of the unity shown by the leaders for all three major communities in Malaysia and acknowledge the role of MIC’s fifth president Tun V.T. Sambanthan.
He said the British would have not given Malaya its independence if only Umno had gone to see them.
He added today MIC was a senior partner in BN which and a faithful friend.
MI
12/09/09
The prime minister’s remarks were a clear message that Barisan Nasional sees it as the MIC’s responsibility to win back Indian support.
Speaking at the MIC general assembly this morning, he set a target for the party to win back the backing of the Indian community for Barisan Nasional (BN).
But Najib’s comments this morning come as MIC faces its most closely-contested party elections in years, and one that is happening as the party’s popularity is at a particularly low point.
The Indian community abandoned BN in droves last year in reaction to what they see as Umno’s racial discrimination and the MIC’s inability to fight for any gains for them.
Najib stressed, however, that the mission of winning back voters was the same task for Umno, MCA and all other BN component parties that wanted to stay relevant.
Earlier, party delegates were on their feet cheering as Najib made a stirring appeal for the party to regain the confidence of the Indian community.
The MIC delegates applauding Datuk Seri Najib's speech. - Picture by Jack Ooi
The Prime Minister received a standing ovation from the delegates after laying down his Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the party to win back the Indians.
“I want MIC to win back the support of the Indian community, nothing else matter, just win back the support.”
He called on the party to work diligently to serve the people while steering clear of what they should not do.
“Serve the people and serve Malaysia.”
Najib pointed out that the voters today were not the same as the voters in the 50s and their eyes were open.
To be relevant, leaders must be in touch with the people to get their support, he said.
Najib added that leaders should adopt the attitude of ‘humble simplicity’ and said he himself had embarked on “walkabouts” to get close to the various communities soon after becoming Prime Minister.
“I enjoyed it because I was with the people of Malaysia and if I can do it, so can you,” he said.
“The people hate it when we are arrogant, show-off our wealth and are involved in abuse of power,” he said.
Najib also drove home his message of 1Malaysia which he said celebrates diversity and promotes fairness.
“Fairness for all, that’s 1 Malaysia.” he said adding that the concept was not only Islamic, which is a universal religion which promotes fairness but inline with the Constitution.
“Whether a poor Malay, Chinese or Indian, all will be helped and everyone has a rightful place under the sun,” he said.
He added BN was a proven institution and lashed out at Pakatan Rakyat (PR), as a marriage of convenience, who could not govern.
Citing Kampung Buah Pala, in Penang as an example he said “Where is the leader who said it would not be demolished?”
“PR makes promises they cannot keep while BN keeps its promise and will not make empty ones,” he said.
As mentioned earlier by MIC President Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, Najib said he had given the Indian community almost everything they had asked for, since becoming prime minister and would continue to provide.
However he said “We need the Indian community to respond. Show us that you are with BN.”
Earlier in his speech Najib stressed that Merdeka was achieved because of the unity shown by the leaders for all three major communities in Malaysia and acknowledge the role of MIC’s fifth president Tun V.T. Sambanthan.
He said the British would have not given Malaya its independence if only Umno had gone to see them.
He added today MIC was a senior partner in BN which and a faithful friend.
MI
12/09/09
Pak Karamu visiting your blog
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