Thesun 2009-04-13 Page03 Summit Woes Can Impede Aseans Work Says Pm

theSun

3

| MONDAY APRIL 13 2009

news without borders

Cabinet breakdown by parties Najib’s cabinet Ministers

Deputies

Ministers

Deputies

Umno

PRS (Sarawak)

18 4 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0

17 7 2 2 1 0 0 1 1 2 3 2 2

22 4 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0

17 6 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 3 2 2

TOTAL

28

40

32

37

MCA

Summit woes can impede Asean’s work, says PM

MIC PPP Upko (Sabah) PBS (Sabah) PBRS (Sabah) LDP (Sabah) SUPP (Sarawak) PBB (Sarawak)

Again, the premier’s message is IMMEDIATELY after Prime clear on his agenda and in facing Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul political reality. He acknowledges Razak announced his new cabinet on Thursday, the majority of the contributions of East Malaysians “mainstream” critics (as opposed and their significant role in realising to mainstream print media) and the 1Malaysia. Displaying leadership by exOpposition had little praise for the ample in mindset, Najib made an country’s new leadership. expected and even bolder political This is expected as it has been the behaviour of those with anti- decision – giving the MCA an extra establishment mentality, especially deputy minister’s post in a leaner the ones who are quick to criticise cabinet. It will do well for Umno memfor the sake of criticising, and having short memories of their own stand bers to note their leader’s change on issues that targeted politicians. in mindset in facing political reality by making Lest we forget decisions based their agendas. on 1Malaysia, One clear rather than example is the by Ng Kee Seng purely on race. reaction from [email protected] The bottom line: the critics who Umno is still now question very much in control Najib’s rationale and The cabinet government. reasons for not includappointments of the Giving MCA an exing Umno Youth chief tra deputy minister’s Khairy Jamaluddin in can be seen from the post shows Umno’s his administration. trust in the MCA as Their opinions perspective that its reliable coalition and postings are now Najib excluded partner in BN. It also skewed towards Khairy Khairy from his reflects Najib’s faith not being fairly treated, and confidence in a political victim, and government MCA to regain the so on. Suddenly, Khairy administration lion’s share of the is their new-found saint because he wants Chinese community’s in Malaysian politics. to leave out in the next These are the same tainted politicians.” support general election. critics who demonised The ball is now at Khairy throughout his father-in-law Tun Abdullah Ahmad the feet of the Chinese community to seriously contemplate its political Badawi’s tenure as prime minister. 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 shown his sincerity in walking the story). It is a question of maintaining objectivity and giving fair and talk, the Chinese are in a political reasonable doubt, leaving no room crossroads of sorts. In furthering his visionary mesfor emotions, when criticising or sage, Najib also appointed Gerakan presenting views. 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 managewith his 1Malaysia vision that he ment. In so doing, Najib has tasked espoused soon after he was sworn in as the sixth premier the previous another trusted Chinese leader to help unite the Chinese community week. The cabinet appointments can under the BN and also to enhance performance in the public delivery be seen from the perspective that Najib excluded Khairy from his gov- system in line with the “1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now” ernment administration because he wants to leave out tainted politi- motto. Koh, a known workaholic and a cians. After all, Khairy was found 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 ministries 30 days to report their key allowing him to contest the Umno performance index (KPI) which is Youth chief post. Khairy won in the three-cornered also aimed at monitoring the perrace but with only slightly more formance of cabinet members as than 30% of the votes against Datuk well as to ensure they discharged Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and Datuk their duties responsibly. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Mukhriz Mahathir. Deputy Umno Youth chief Datuk Muhyiddin Yassin was quoted by Razali Ibrahim was appointed Bernama on Friday as saying: “… deputy youth and sports minister we must act now before it is too and Mukhriz a deputy international late. We also need to support the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk trade and industry minister. Seri Najib Abdul Razak and strive Najib’s message to the Youth to regain the people’s support for wing is clear in walking the talk. Umno and BN.” The cabinet and administration Now is the crucial time for all feature significantly more East Malaysian politicians in key posts. communities to also walk the talk.

Comment

which he intended to enforce. “I am also interested to know what your hopes are for the new administration to ensure that the welfare and development of all communities are looked after,” he said. Najib said he had considered a number of factors to ensure that the cabinet was truly a people’s cabinet which would be able to serve the people fairly and effectively, and would strive to propel the country forward, leaving no one behind. He also said that he encouraged everyone to be respectful in their opinions of others in their remarks and hoped that the dialogue could be continued in a constructive manner, in the true spirit of 1Malaysia. – Bernama

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 completed. He hoped that this would not take too long as it would affect the hospital’s operations. “Following the fire, wards 3A, 3B, 3C

SPDP (Sarawak)

Najib walking the talk

Najib heads for the U-Tapao military airport in Sattahip, near Pattaya, on Saturday after anti-government protests forced the postponement of the Asean Summit.

BERNAMAPIX

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul 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 Asean. It could also delay the benefits of closer integration for hundreds of millions living and working in Southeast Asia, he said in his blog, www.1malaysia. com.my. Najib, who had flown to Pattaya on Friday to attend the Asean meetings, had to cut short the visit when Thailand declared emergency in Pattaya after thousands of anti-government protesters stormed the venue of the meetings and forced cancellations. “It was unfortunate that my meetings were cancelled one after the other as leaders could not leave or enter the conference venue. Luckily, with the assistance of the Thai armed forces and police, we made it safely to the airport en route home,” said Najib, who returned to Malaysia at 7.30pm on Saturday. Najib said: “As we took off, I reflected with great concern how domestic political challenges like these can impede the good work of a regional grouping like Asean.” The summitz, carrying the theme “Acting Together to Cope with Global Challenges”, were to have held significance in Asean’s relations with its dialogue partners, besides giving the opportunity for all the countries to discuss current issues of regional and international concern. In his blog, Najib also invited Malaysians to send comments to his blog on their thoughts on the recently announced cabinet line-up and the new performance-based approach

Gerakan

EPAPIX

Abdullah’s cabinet

Parties

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

Nurses monitoring the condition of several babies at the lobby of Putrajaya Hospital where they had been temporarily evacuated to after a section of their ward on the third floor of the hospital caught fire after being struck by lightning during a thunderstorm on Saturday afternoon.