theSun | MONDAY APRIL 13 2009 3

news without borders Cabinet breakdown by parties

Najib’s cabinet Abdullah’s cabinet
Parties Ministers Deputies Ministers Deputies
Umno 18 17 22 17
MCA 4 7 4 6
Gerakan 1 2 0 2

Summit woes can impede MIC

PPP
Upko (Sabah)
PBS (Sabah)
PBRS (Sabah)
1
0
1
1
0
2
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
0
2
1
0
0
0

Asean’s work, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime
EPAPIX
LDP (Sabah)
SUPP (Sarawak)
PBB (Sarawak)
SPDP (Sarawak)
PRS (Sarawak)
0
1
1
0
0
1
2
3
2
2
1
1
1
0
0
0
2
3
2
2
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul TOTAL 28 40 32 37
Razak said the postponement
of the 14th Asean Summit and
related summits in Thailand on
Saturday due to anti-government
protests could impede the good
work of a regional grouping like
Najib walking
Asean.
It could also delay the ben-
efits of closer integration for
the talk
hundreds of millions living and IMMEDIATELY after Prime Again, the premier’s message is
working in Southeast Asia, he Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul clear on his agenda and in facing
said in his blog, www.1malaysia. Razak announced his new cabinet political reality. He acknowledges
com.my. on Thursday, the majority of the contributions of East Malaysians
Najib, who had flown to “mainstream” critics (as opposed and their significant role in realising
Pattaya on Friday to attend the to mainstream print media) and the 1Malaysia.
Asean meetings, had to cut short Opposition had little praise for the Displaying leadership by ex-
the visit when Thailand declared country’s new leadership. ample in mindset, Najib made an
emergency in Pattaya after expected and even bolder political
This is expected as it has been
thousands of anti-government
protesters stormed the venue of the behaviour of those with anti- decision – giving the MCA an extra
the meetings and forced cancel- establishment mentality, especially deputy minister’s post in a leaner
lations. the ones who are quick to criticise cabinet.
“It was unfortunate that my for the sake of criticising, and having It will do well for Umno mem-
meetings were cancelled one short memories of their own stand bers to note their leader’s change
after the other as leaders could on issues that targeted politicians. in mindset in facing political real-
not leave or enter the conference Lest we forget ity by making
venue. Luckily, with the assist- their agendas. decisions based
ance of the Thai armed forces
and police, we made it safely to
One clear
example is the
Comment on 1Malaysia,
rather than
by Ng Kee Seng
the airport en route home,” said reaction from purely on race.
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
Najib, who returned to Malaysia which he intended to enforce. Najib heads for the the critics who The bottom line:
at 7.30pm on Saturday. “I am also interested to know what your U-Tapao military now question Umno is still
Najib said: “As we took off, I reflected with hopes are for the new administration to ensure airport in Sattahip, Najib’s rationale and The cabinet very much in control
great concern how domestic political chal- that the welfare and development of all com- near Pattaya, on
lenges like these can impede the good work munities are looked after,” he said. Saturday after
reasons for not includ- appointments of the government.
Giving MCA an ex-
ing Umno Youth chief
of a regional grouping like Asean.” Najib said he had considered a number of anti-government Khairy Jamaluddin in can be seen tra deputy minister’s
The summitz, carrying the theme “Acting factors to ensure that the cabinet was truly a protests forced the his administration. from the post shows Umno’s
Together to Cope with Global Challenges”, people’s cabinet which would be able to serve postponement of Their opinions perspective that trust in the MCA as
were to have held significance in Asean’s the people fairly and effectively, and would the Asean Summit. and postings are now Najib excluded its reliable coalition
relations with its dialogue partners, besides strive to propel the country forward, leaving skewed towards Khairy Khairy from his partner in BN. It also
giving the opportunity for all the countries to no one behind. reflects Najib’s faith
not being fairly treated,
a political victim, and government
discuss current issues of regional and interna- He also said that he encouraged everyone to and confidence in
tional concern. be respectful in their opinions of others in their
In his blog, Najib also invited Malaysians to remarks and hoped that the dialogue could be so on. Suddenly, Khairy administration MCA to regain the
send comments to his blog on their thoughts continued in a constructive manner, in the true is their new-found saint because he wants lion’s share of the
on the recently announced cabinet line-up and spirit of 1Malaysia. – Bernama in Malaysian politics. to leave out Chinese community’s
the new performance-based approach These are the same
critics who demonised
tainted politicians.” support in the next
general election.
Khairy throughout his The ball is now at
father-in-law Tun Abdullah Ahmad the feet of the Chinese community
Badawi’s tenure as prime minister. to seriously contemplate its political
BERNAMAPIX

Ministry wants speedy probe into hospital fire
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry wants
investigations into the fire that broke out
in Ward 3C of the Putrajaya Hospital to be
completed quickly so that remedial action
can be taken fast.
Its minster Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said
remedial work could not be undertaken so
long as the investigations were not com-
pleted. He hoped that this would not take
too long as it would affect the hospital’s
operations.
“Following the fire, wards 3A, 3B, 3C
and 2C had to be emptied and some 50
patients affected had to be transferred
to other wards or hospitals for continued
treatment,” he told a press conference
after visiting the scene of the blaze
yesterday.
Ward 3C, located on the third floor of the
hospital, caught fire at 4.10pm yesterday,
believed to be the result of a lightning
strike during heavy rain.
There were no casualties and it was put
out quickly. – Bernama
As the saying goes, there are stance for the future of the country.
always two sides to the coin (or Now that the Umno president has
story). It is a question of maintain- shown his sincerity in walking the
ing objectivity and giving fair and talk, the Chinese are in a political
reasonable doubt, leaving no room crossroads of sorts.
for emotions, when criticising or In furthering his visionary mes-
presenting views. sage, Najib also appointed Gerakan
Facts are facts and Najib’s deci- president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon
sions on the make-up of the cabinet as a minister in the Prime Minister’s
show that he is walking the talk to Department in charge of national
strengthen Barisan Nasional (BN) unity and performance manage-
with his 1Malaysia vision that he ment.
espoused soon after he was sworn In so doing, Najib has tasked
in as the sixth premier the previous another trusted Chinese leader to
week. help unite the Chinese community
The cabinet appointments can under the BN and also to enhance
be seen from the perspective that performance in the public delivery
Najib excluded Khairy from his gov- system in line with the “1Malaysia,
ernment administration because People First, Performance Now”
he wants to leave out tainted politi- motto.
cians. After all, Khairy was found Koh, a known workaholic and a
guilty by the Umno disciplinary non-controversial politician, swung
board of practising “money politics” into action immediately upon his
but was let off with a stern warning, appointment. He has given min-
Nurses monitoring allowing him to contest the Umno istries 30 days to report their key
the condition of Youth chief post. performance index (KPI) which is
several babies
at the lobby of
Khairy won in the three-cornered also aimed at monitoring the per-
race but with only slightly more formance of cabinet members as
Putrajaya Hospital than 30% of the votes against Datuk well as to ensure they discharged
where they had Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and Datuk their duties responsibly.
been temporarily Mukhriz Mahathir. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri
evacuated to after Deputy Umno Youth chief Datuk Muhyiddin Yassin was quoted by
a section of their Razali Ibrahim was appointed Bernama on Friday as saying: “…
ward on the third deputy youth and sports minister we must act now before it is too
floor of the hospital and Mukhriz a deputy international late. We also need to support the
caught fire after trade and industry minister. leadership of Prime Minister Datuk
being struck by Najib’s message to the Youth Seri Najib Abdul Razak and strive
lightning during a wing is clear in walking the talk. to regain the people’s support for
thunderstorm on The cabinet and administration Umno and BN.”
Saturday afternoon. feature significantly more East Now is the crucial time for all
Malaysian politicians in key posts. communities to also walk the talk.