6 theSun | MONDAY APRIL 6 2009

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PM: Give me chance,

evaluate my
leadership positively
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak wants Malay-
sians to be positive and have an open mind in evaluating him
and to give him a chance in demonstrating his leadership.
The prime minister said he was also committed to un-
derstanding the people’s aspiration and would do the best
in terms of leadership whether from the aspect of policies,
implementation and programmes carried out.
“I only hope the people will adopt an open and positive
attitude in evaluating my leadership and give me the chance
to demonstrate my leadership ... Hopefully, the people will
accept my leadership,” he said.
He said this when asked by host Ally Iskandar Mohd Mardzi
in the special interview programme with the 6th prime minis-
ter broadcast bt TV3 last night.
Najib said he constantly reminded himself to have his feet
on the ground and to be people-friendly, firm but considerate
to others when discharging his duties.
He said although the early stage of his involvement in
the political arena was a shock to him in his early age, he
had to adapt himself within a short period which gave him
self-satisfaction in helping others.
“I get tremendous self-satisfaction. So, this inspired me
to continue to struggle. Although initially, I was very young ...
but with patience and faith, I could continue with the struggle
until today,” he said.
He cited efforts in assisting the poor to get a house or to
help someone in the field of education.
“Of course, in the beginning it was a very big shock
because I had just returned from abroad from secondary
school and university studies. Suddenly, I was in the middle of
the political arena without any plans and expectation. It was
totally unexpected.
“I had to adapt within a short period, but Alhamdulillah,
within a short span of time, I felt I was suited to politics and
the constituency in Pekan, (which was) a rural area. I could
get close to the kampung people in various situations and I did
not feel out of place in such a situation,” he said.
He said other factors that helped him as a politician was
that during his studies in university, he had had many discus-
sions with friends and colleagues on the political develop-
ments in Malaysia and internationally.
He said he had also studied politics as a minor stream when
pursuing his Industrial Economics degree at the University of
Nottingham and became president of the Malaysia/Singapore
Students Union.
“And when I came back to Malaysia, my late
father (Tun Abdul Razak Hussein) had also taken
me on the visits to the rural areas and (I observed)
how he became a leader, his methods and style.”
Asked if there were differences between the
time he first led the government and the time his
father first became prime minister, he said it was
challenging, although the intensity was about the
same.
“The intensity could be said to be very challeng-
ing because during my late father’s time, he had to
face a tense situation after the May 13 (1969) tragedy
and the political uncertainties in Perak, Selangor and
Penang. – Bernama
IX
BERNAMAP
Najib’s cabinet line-up
may spring some surprises
THERE will be surprises in new Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s
cabinet line-up.
MCA polls loser Datuk Seri Ong
Ka Chuan, who is housing and local
government minister, may be retained
and former science, technology and in-
novation minister Datuk Seri Jamaluddin
Jarjis is expected to be appointed second
finance minister, Nanyang Siang Pau
reported yesterday.
The report, quoting sources, said Ong
is expected to stay in the cabinet despite
having lost his contest for the MCA No 2
post in the party elections last year.
Jamaluddin, who was elected to the
Umno Supreme Council last month, is
tipped to replace Tan Sri Nor Mohamed
Yakcop as second finance minister, a post
he held from 2003 to 2004.
A source said Nor Mohamed is packing
KLSCAH to forge closer ties with new PM
THE Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese As-
sembly Hall (KLSCAH) is considering making
a “suqiu” (appeal) to Datuk Seri Najib Abdul
Razak to enable the newly-appointed prime
minister to better understand the wishes of
the Chinese community.
KLSCAH president Datuk Bong Hon
Liong told China Press on Saturday that it
would consider “bringing up the requests
of the community, so that Najib can better
understand the views of the Chinese and
their expectations”.
“We will seek the consensus
on Najib’s line-up although speculation is
Press Digest rife that she would be dropped.
Her current portfolio will go back to
by Kong See Hoh Umno and she is likely to be moved to
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
either the Tourism or Unity, Culture, Arts
and Heritage Ministry, the source added.
up and getting ready to vacate his office at Ng has declined to comment on the
the Finance Ministry before April 11. possible new line-up but hoped more
It also said the talk at the Finance Min- women would be included in the cabi-
istry is that Jamaluddin would be making net, saying the contributions of women
a comeback. should not be neglected.
According to some officers, Jamalud- Meanwhile, the National Economic
din made an appearance at the ministry Consultative Council and several national
last Friday, fuelling speculation that Nor organisations, including the Malaysian
Mohamed would be replaced. Employers Federation, Malaysian-Ameri-
However, an aide of Nor Mohamed can Electronics Industry Association and
said he was not aware of any imminent National Association of Smallholders
change in the ministry. Malaysia, felt Najib should continue to
The same source said Women, Family helm the Finance Ministry to ensure the
and Community Development Minister economic stimulus packages are fully
Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen would still be implemented.
of other Chinese organisations. We will find They said the two organisations would
out if they want to collaborate with us in not play the role of a pressure group but
jointly voicing the views and opinions of the would keep close tabs on Najib’s words and
Chinese.” actions.
However, both Associated Chinese Lim said ACCCIM would not make any
Chambers of Commerce and Industry of “suqiu” nor apply pressure on Najib.
Malaysia (ACCCIM) vice-president Datuk He felt that as a seasoned national leader,
Seri Lim Sing and Seven Major Chinese Najib should understand the wishes of the
Clans Association coordination committee people and the voices of businessmen.
chairman Kong Qing Shu said they would He hoped some long-standing issues
give Najib time to put things in the right would be resolved with Najib at the helm.
perspective. He said should there be new policies
which ACCCIM deems inappropriate or not
benefiting the people, the trade organisation
would speak up and give suggestions, which
should not be misconstrued as “suqiu”.
Kong, meanwhile, said the association
has no “suqiu” but hoped Najib would put
the interests of the people above all else
in the implementation of government poli-
cies.
He also hoped the Najib administration
would be fair and transparent.
What a catch! ...
Officials hold a 19kg “ikan kerapu” (grouper)
which was caught by a participant during the
Langkawi-Adang-Satun International Fishing
Challenge (LASIFC) 2009 in Langkawi yesterday.
About 134 participants comprising 23 teams
from Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, India and

Malaysia took part in the fishing competition.

The third edition of the three-day competition
organised by Malaysia and Thailand ended
yesterday. The competition involves the waters
of Langkawi right up to Satun in Thailand.

PM to have better idea of ber ruling BN. – Bernama 40 houses damaged in

new line-up after BN meeting
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Najib Abdul Razak is expected to have a better
idea of how to form the new cabinet when he
gets a chance to meet leaders of Barisan Na-
sional (BN) component parties at a meeting in
Putrajaya today.
While the exact reason for the meeting
is not known, it is strongly believed that it
is likely to centre on the much-talked about
cabinet reshuffle.
Najib is expected to announce his cabinet
line-up within a week of taking office last
Friday.
Some analysts say that the cabinet an-
nouncement could be as early as Wednesday
or Thursday after the three by-elections in Bukit
Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai are held
on Tuesday.
There are currently 32 members in the cabi-
net with 27 ministries and almost two-thirds of
the cabinet are made up of appointees from
Umno, the largest component in the 13-mem-
Barisan will fulfil election
promises, says Najib
SEPANG: The Barisan Nasional (BN) will
implement the projects promised during
campaigning in the three by-elections be-
cause they will bring benefit to the people,
said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul
Razak.
“The BN will ensure we carry out our
promises. What we don’t want are projects
that are ‘instant noddles’.
“If a particular project brings real benefit
to the people and we have made a promise
or commitment to do it in the election cam-
paign, we will certainly fulfil it,” he said when
met by reporters after handing over prizes to
winners of the Malaysia Petronas F1 Grand
Prix, at the Sepang Circuit yesterday.
Najib said BN victories in the by-elections
would give a significant boost to the govern-
ment in tackling all challenges in terms of
politics and the economy. – Bernama
thunderstorm
SUNGAI PETANI: A thunderstorm badly
damaged 40 houses in Kampung Bukit Rusa
and Taman Kelisa Ria yesterday as roofs were
blown off and trees came crashing down.
The thunderstorm which struck at 4.30pm
caused traffic congestion as roads leading to
the two housing areas were blocked by up-
rooted trees.
Halijah Abdul, 66, said she was cleaning the
dishes in the kitchen when the thunderstorm
came and blew the roof off.
“I shouted for my husband and grand
daughter and was happy to find them safe. We
panicked and rushed out of the house,” she
said.
V. Jaganathan, 59, said he and several villag-
ers were fortunate that a big tree had missed
several houses as it came crashing down.
Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk S.
Ganesan, who visited the scene, promised
immediate aid to the thunderstorm victims.
– Bernama