A government out of step with public opinion

by Mariam Mokhtar
Malaysia Chronicle
27th December 2010

When Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim revealed that eighty-four percent of Malaysians understood the 1Malaysia concept, would it be safe to say that Deputy Prime minister Muyiddin Yassin is in the 16 percent group?

Earlier, Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak said that the 1Malaysia concept described how the ‘spirit of togetherness and the ability to rise above political differences’ were important for continued peace and stability in the country.

He said, “Although some might like to think it (1Malaysia) is for political purposes, it is actually for nation-building.”

Would he care to tell us how much he has spent on all the 1Malaysia posters, advertisements, billboards, badges and other paraphernalia where 1Malaysia has been plastered around the countryside?

Instead of spending millions on frivolous projects, why not spend that money on its people? The nation could do with improved healthcare, better infrastructure, quality teachers and schools. At a time like Christmas, several hundreds if not thousands of Malaysians roam the streets because they are destitute. Money could be channeled away from the promotion of 1Malaysia, and be used for a good cause to help these homeless people.

If 1Malaysia has to be continually drummed into us, then it says a lot about Najib’s leadership.

Najib also said that, “In today’s world where a small group of extremists has drowned the voices of reason and common sense and hijacked the agenda of peace and moderation, it is important for the moderates in every faith – Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Buddhists – among us to speak up to reclaim our rightful place and the moral high ground.”

Sometimes, even the best of us do not realise that those who are nearest and dearest to us, do us more harm than good and can hasten our downfall faster than our enemies could do to us.

That is perhaps why BN has not banned Perkasa or even censured the Deputy Prime Minister from being Malay first and a Malaysian 2nd.

Najib has failed to deal effectively with ‘extremism’, be it in the form of a non-governmental organisation, a newspaper daily or a public-funded institution. Why does he allow Perkasa, Utusan Malaysia and the Biro Tatanegara to take pot-shots at him or his administration? Is he fearful of these groups or has he no faith in his own 1Malaysia concept?

Catholic Archbishop Murphy Pakiam has warned that a climate of fear will exist if an apostasy law in Sabah is pushed through by the state’s Islamic authorities.

Najib’s 1Malaysia concept cannot even be adopted by all the state Islamic religious authorities. Different states have different rules regarding the enforcement of Islam’s strict code of ethics and behavior.

Pakiam said, “It (apostasy law) will create fear and it is unfortunate that these things come about like that. That is why we need to heed the call of the prime minister for moderates to be counted.”

Najib cannot be that committed to 1Malaysia when government contracts, admission to public universities, house purchases, scholarships, application for civil service jobs, construction of houses of worship and more, have all been exploited by his administration.

Rais might want to conduct another survey. This time ask how much trust Malaysians have in their government.

As DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang pointed out, “Najib cannot deny that in the 20 months since the introduction of Najib’s “1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now” slogan, instead of giving Malaysians a new sense of being Malaysian, the reverse has taken place.”

7 Replies to “A government out of step with public opinion”

  1. Imagine how much benefits that RM77 million will bring to the poor and needy….and how much votes Najib will get by doing that.
    Been 3 long years..fearing loosing power…Najib have no time to change…for he has established his 3 years as PM…a liar…a wheeler dealer…flip flopper…and a bad unreliable corrupted reputation long before being a PM…and why was he chosen to be PM by Mahathir?
    Look at Dollah and him….and tell me why…when there are much more better brains than these two.
    These two are chosen for their 100% loyalty to M…and when Dollah turn coat..just look at how M yell and shout.
    Najib is daily haunted by Atlantuya’s ghost.
    What do you expect him to do…confess all and leave it to Allah?
    No…he got the Jews to advise him how to stay in power..and all the slogans and billboards..are planned and advised to do so.
    He has no backbone and that suits M excellently..who is the man behind UMNO B plans.
    ‘1 Malaysia’ is not for political purposes but for nation-building…so said Najib.
    Yea tell that to school children and 84% will believe him.
    Surveys made on the streets and to adults..the qualified voters…and majority have exposed him…as insincere and slogan is a gimmick to win votes.
    Why are these not reported?

  2. The said ban suggested by Ronnie Lui has not been approved by PR.
    In a way…I am glad Ronnie Lui has no authority to do things without approval.
    He should resign from DAP…as no one likes him too.
    Is he another Zaid…out to confuse voters..before resigning?
    Ban the slogan…that is bad mistakes.
    Keep exposing is totally nonsense and tell the truths and let voters decide.
    You cannot fight the Govt. by banning this and that before winning 13th GE.

  3. //Yatim revealed that eighty-four percent of Malaysians understood the 1Malaysia concept//

    To get the figure 84%, it all depends on the sample group and size. Yatim might as well have asked his staff in the ministry and he would have got a figure of 100%. If he had asked the mamak and family, he would get 0%.

  4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12081874

    the Indonesian team claimed that Malaysian supporters had shone lasers directly into players’ faces, including the captain, at several corner kicks, and the goalkeeper…. lasers reportedly also troubled the Vietnamese national team during a semi-final match against Malaysia.

    If the above Indon allegation is true, then bolehlanders in Indonesia are going to be walloped. Malaysia Boleh Tipu!

  5. When it started claimed equality.

    At the final, it is no equality.,

    It is a sign to fool non-malay support and make them think that they vote for equality but it is just a lie to fool them.

    LIE…LIE…LIE

  6. It is already 53 years since Merdeka and the government is still trying to ( dis ) unite the people with that stupid 1Malaysia slogan? Rakyat know UMNOB/BN is not serious about uniting the various races as the more united the rakyat, the lesser their chance of winning elections.

    1Malaysia reflects badly on the UMNOB-lead government. Our neighbour is laughing at our incompetent leaders. 25 years ago the nation already succeeded in uniting its people, singing proudly…. ” One People…One Nation…One Singapore”

    There is no way Malaysia will ever succeed like Singapore. 1Malaysia is unattainable because we cannot become 1People ( Malaysians ) as even the DPM has said he is Malay first. And since we cannot become 1People, Najib’s 1Malaysia means nothing but a deceitful slogan to win over the support of simple-minded Malaysians.

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