Thesun 2009-09-14 Page05 Najib People Decides Bns Continuity In Govt

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| MONDAY SEPTEMBER 14 2009

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Najib: People decides BN’s continuity in govt TAWAU: In Malaysia’s parliamentary democratic system, it is the power of the people that will determine Barisan Nasional’s (BN) continuity in government, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. So, he said, to ensure that BN continued to receive the mandate to rule this country, it must be fair to all citizens regardless of race and religion. “This is because if we can protect the rights of all races and be fair to all, then the people will be with us and this is also the BN government’s principle. “We will consider the interest of all groups so that no group feels it is being marginalised or hurt, instead, each group, each community is taken care of the best possible through the BN government’s policies.” Najib said this before about 15,000 people from various ethnic groups at a breaking of fast and handing-over of charity contributions to orphans and the poor here. Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, other BN component party leaders and former Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Sakaran Dandai. Najib said the principle of fairness outlined in 1Malaysia was also in line with Islam which taught its followers to be fair to all communities and religions. He said the 1Malaysia concept mooted by him was also in line with what Prophet Muhammad practised when he established the government of Medina with Islam as the

pillar of the administration. “At the same time, the Prophet was fair to all the communities in Medina, he protected the minorities and gave religious freedom to the non-Muslims. “If we look at the 1Malaysia concept, the essence is fairness which is based on the principles of mutual respect and accepting diversity as our strength and not as a problem. “If we accept diversity as our strength, then our country will become even more successful and dynamic in future.” Najib, who is also Umno president and BN chairman, also reminded BN component party leaders to be closer to the people and not just being popular among party leaders. He said there was no point in only being popular, even if one was the party president, but the party lost, and in this regard, the BN government under his leadership would get close to the people. Najib said he started going to the ground to be close to the people when he took over the helm of government and wanted the other BN leaders to do the same. “I’ve gone to several places to meet the people. As leaders, if we go visiting without protocol and without the red-carpet welcome, the bunga manggar or any special reception, but we sit down with the people over drinks and hear their problems, the people will remain with us.” On Sabah which he had all this while regarded as BN’s “fixed deposit”, Najib said he wanted Sabah to continue strengthening itself to really be BN’s stronghold. – Bernama

Alternative passport to have similar features by Husna Yusop [email protected]

BANGI: The alternative international Malaysian passport will have exactly the same security features as the current passport although it is valid for a shorter period and costs less. In dispelling fears that the new travel document would lack security features as compared to present international Malaysian passport, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said they were the same. “(It is just that) instead of five years, we are reducing (the validity) to two years, (and instead of RM300 or RM600,) we are reducing the price to RM100. It makes sense. It’s logical. “It doesn’t cost the government any much more, nor will it mean that we are reducing the quality of the passport. “It’s the same passport but related to the more practical consideration of people who do not use the passport that often,” he said yesterday. Speaking to reporters after launching the new bright blue uniform for Civil Defence Department members at the Civil Defence Training Academy here, Hishammuddin

said the new passport will incorporate all the security features present in the existing passports, and these may even be enhanced further. The minister was clarifying his announcement on Saturday, that starting from Oct 1, Malaysians can apply for an alternative passport which is valid for two years and costs RM100 only. Currently, a 32-page passport costs RM300 and a 64-page one costs RM600. Both are valid for five years. Hishammuddin had said currently, only those going for the haj pilgrimage could apply for an alternative passport, but the government wanted to expand its usage as there were many people who travelled rarely and did not want to pay so much for travel documents. Explaining the security features, he said the government was working together with the United Kingdom to discuss ways to further tighten certain aspects of the passport. “I am not in the position to announce it now. We are discussing it right now and we are looking at benchmarking it with the international level,” he said, adding once the security feature is upgraded, it will also be applied to the new passport.

Fiesta M’sia to be held in Melbourne MELBOURNE: Student leader Aida Zabidi has taken some time off from her studies to help prepare the biggest Malaysian student cultural show here, the Fiesta Malaysia Melbourne, on Sept 27 at the Federation Square. As project manager of the annual fiesta that has attracted thousands of Australians and Malaysians in the past, Aida has the huge task of overseeing the preparation for the event that has grown from a small beginning in 2006 to an extravaganza, showcasing Malaysia’s cultural and ethnic heritage. “This year’s Fiesta Malaysia has become part of Malaysia Week - a combination of events that promote Malaysia through arts, culture, traditional dances, cuisine, exhibition

and tourism,” said Aida, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Melbourne. It is going to be a big day for the Malaysian students, she said. Student organisations such as the Malaysian Students Council of Australia and Kelab Umno Australia Melbourne, as well as Malaysian associations and clubs, at the various universities in the state of Victoria, are playing important roles to make the event a success. “Attending the fiesta will be the deputy Malaysian high commissioner in Canberra (Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin), the mayor of Melbourne and the Victorian state minister for multiculturalism,” Aida told Bernama.