KUALA LUMPUR (March 16, 2010): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak today charged the opposition with coming up with the Middle Malaysia theme as a reaction to the government's 1Malaysia concept
In reply to a supplementary question from Alexander Nanta Linggi (BN-Kapit) in the Dewan Rakyat today, Najib said there are many differences between 1Malaysia and Middle Malaysia which was introduced by DAP recently.
"The effort by certain quarters to introduce Middle Malaysia is a reaction to 1Malayisa. When 1Malaysia was becoming more popular, suddenly there comes a new effort in the name of Middle Malaysia.
"But from the observation of many, Middle Malaysia is a rebranding of (the) Malaysian Malaysia (concept) ,which has been rejected by the people, especially the pribumi (natives)," he said.
Another difference is, unlike 1Malaysia, Middle Malaysia is not based on the federal constitution and country’s history, said Najib.
The prime minister also dismissed Middle Malaysia as only a slogan and rhetoric, and pointed out that 1Malaysia comes together with action which is based on the policy of People First, Performance Now.
To Linggi’s original question, asking the Prime Minister to state the success of 1Malaysia in uniting the people, he said Malaysians must find a common stand and not be prejudice against each other by holding on to the 1Malaysia concept.
To another supplementary question from Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor), Najib said the government does take action against individuals in the government who made statements that were against the government's policy.
Karpal had asked about Najib’s former special officer Datuk Nasir Safar who had allegedly made statements that were seditious in nature and which were contrary to the spirit of 1Malaysia during a function in Malacca on Feb 2.
"Action has been taken against this officer," Najib said, adding the other questions posed by Karpal on the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s (PKR-Permatang Pauh) former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan were not relevant.
Karpal was referring to the two cases when he said since Najib has introduced the 1Malaysia concept, he should clean up his image first.
To Datuk Siringan Gubat’s (BN-Ranau) question, he said while the public services sector is hoped to reflect a balanced participation of the different races, recruitment must be based on qualifications and merits.
However, the first question for the day today was followed by an argument when Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) called for a point of order since his question on 1Malaysia has been rejected by the House.
Lim said he asked about the action to be taken against two "Umno-owned" Malay dailies (Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia) for allegedly ruining the 1Malaysia concept through their "racist and religious-centric agenda".
Kiandee said it has been decided by the House that points of order can only be raised after the question and answer session, adding the issue was not relevant as it was an administrative matter. -- theSun
