The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak made another “sweet-sounding” speech yesterday in his 2014 New Year message, trying to explain away his “Chinese tsunami” statement on the night of the 13th General Election as well as declaring that he “understand and sympathise with concerns” of the people at the impact of rising costs.
Malaysians are tired of “sweet-sounding” speeches by Najib as what they want are deeds and delivery of the “One Malaysia, People First, Performance Now” promise which he made in his maiden speech when he took over the reins as Prime Minister some five years ago.
Najib says he “understand and sympathise” with the people’s concerns but the more important question is whether the people feel that the Prime Minister “understand and sympathise” with their deepest concerns as a result of the spiral of rising prices, and the answer is a loud and categorical “No”!
It is no use Najib’s highly-paid consultants drafting the most high-sounding speeches and messages for delivery by the Prime Minister if they are hollow-sounding and totally unconvincing to the people, as is the case with Najib’s “moderate” speeches.
Malaysians will remember his “Malaysia the best democracy in the world” speech on Malaysia Day on Sept. 16 in 2011, and the recent government policies and actions which run counter to it – whether the restoration of detention-without-trial legislation, suppression of free press as in the suspension of the printing licence of weekly “The Heat”, inability to restore public confidence in the independence of the judiciary or the worsening corruption in the country.
Najib will not be in the plight today if he had seriously delivered his “One Malaysia, People First, Performance Now” promise he made in April 2009.
Let Najib present a White Paper in the March meeting of Parliament for a frank and truthful account on where he had succeeded and failed in the “One Malaysia, People First, Performance Now” policy he enunciated on becoming Prime Minister, and submit the White Paper for a full debate in Parliament.
It is sad but true that after the 13th General Elections on May 5, Najib has virtually abandoned the 1Malaysia Policy, as what is left are only the 1Malaysia gimmicry totally bereft of the 1Malaysia policy and philosophy to create a Malaysian nation where every Malaysian regards himself or herself as Malaysian first and race, religion, region or socio-economic status second.
In fact, the Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhiddin Yassin is still more famous for his “I am a Malay first, Malaysian second” declaration than as Education Minister or Deputy Prime Minister.
If Najib had delivered on “One Malaysia, People First, Performance Now” policy, Malaysians regardless of race or religion throughout the country would be not plunged into multiple political economic, educational and environmental crises today – with ever-increasing economic disparity between the haves and have-nots; unending price increases slashing the quality of life of Malaysians; unchecked deteriorationn in educational standards whether at the primary, secondary or tertiary level and worsening corruption, cronynism and abuses of power.
Najib has yet to prove after some five years that he is Prime Minister for all Malaysians, including the 52 per cent electorate who had voted against the Barisan Nasional in the 13th general election.
If Najib is not prepared to be fair to the 52 per cent of the electorate who voted against the Barisan Nasional in the 13th general election on 5th May 2013 and be their Prime Minister as well, is he prepared fto orgo the taxation paid by this 52 % of the Malaysian electorate or set aside their taxation for their fair disbursements and expenditures for the national interests and not for the sake of Barisan Nasional only?