Seven-point check

By Azurara Abas, V. Shuman and Hashini Kannan | news@nst.com.my

GUIDE FOR THE PEOPLE: Najib outlines indicators to help the rakyat decide who they want to govern the country

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak last night listed seven principles to guide the people in making their assessment of the current government and who they wanted to vote for in the next general election.

He said the principles were based on the seven decades of Umno’s contributions to the country.

“There are seven which can help us make an assessment of Umno and Barisan Nasional.

“First, which leadership is trustworthy and keeps to its promises? BN or the opposition?

“Second, who can assure you that tomorrow can be better than today?

“All the promises by the opposition, most of them are not fulfilled, especially in Selangor, where they have failed to manage the water issue. There are many other areas they have failed in.

“Between BN and the opposition, who has delivered?” he asked to thunderous applause at Umno’s 66th anniversary celebration at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil .

Some 100,000 members converged at the venue — the biggest in Umno’s history.

Rallying the troops in resplendent red, Najib said the people should be able to evaluate which side was capable of preserving the supremacy of the Constitution, sovereignty of the country, laws, the sanctity of Islam, the Malay rulers and the rights of the other races in the country.

The fourth principle, he said, was the people's right to choose which party was capable of managing the country's economy, preserving the harmony and bringing about systematic reforms.

"And last, between BN and the opposition, which can transform Malaysia into a high-income nation?" he roared to the shouts of "Long Live Umno, Long Live Najib!" (Hidup Umno, Hidup Najib).
As the crowd continued, Najib sounded the battle cry.

"Should I have an audience with the king tomorrow? Are you ready for the election?", to which the crowd responded with a thunderous "Yes".

Working the crowd, Najib said the election could either be tomorrow, next month or next year.

He then took a swipe at the opposition, comparing Umno's peaceful gathering with the chaotic April 28 Bersih 3.0 rally.

"There is no need for a strong police presence. Where are they? They are smiling and at ease. There is no tension tonight.

"I don't understand why the opposition can't do the same."

Najib also alluded to the treatment of the slightest hint of dissent in the ranks of the opposition parties, the most recent was the move not to extend the senatorship of Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim, the vice-chairman of DAP.

Tunku Aziz, had, in the run-up to the rally, criticised its staging and had urged organisers to take up the government's offer of alternative venues.

Among those present were former Umno president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, party vice-presidents and grassroots leaders.

Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor receiving a thunderous applause from the mammoth gathering of party members and supporters as they arrive at the 66th Umno anniversary celebration at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night. Pic by Abdullah Yusof

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Seven-point check

GUIDE FOR THE PEOPLE: Najib outlines indicators to help the rakyat decide who they want to govern the country

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