Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has assured the people that he is listening with his “big ears” to all complaints and grievances.
The Prime Minister said he was aware of complaints about “what is happening to our economy, ... to this, and that.”
“I listen. The Prime Minister has big ears.
“At times pedih lah telinga ini – macam macam dengar (it is painful to these ears - hearing all sorts of things),” he said at the official opening of SJK (C) Ladang Harcroft in Puchong yesterday.
Abdullah stressed that he was not merely listening, adding that it was his duty to deal with problems and work on remedies.
“We are not keeping quiet. If we do not attend to problems, grouses, feelings of uneasiness, uncertainty and even anger, then one day we will suffer, everybody will suffer,” he said.
“If you are getting impatient, then I’m even more impatient,” he added.
Abdullah said while some matters could be resolved quickly, others took time and some issues needed even more deliberation.
He said the country had gained tremendous ground in eradicating poverty, cutting it down from 50% in 1971 to 5.7% at present.
“This is not something to be scoffed at. We Malaysians have every reason to be proud of the achievement,” he said, adding that the Government would continue to help the people regardless of race.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that eradicating poverty would not be an easy task.
“It’s not something that can be achieved in a short number of years. But we will persevere,” he said, citing education as an important tool in helping people break free from the scourge of poverty.
In a multi-racial and multi-religious country like Malaysia, mutual respect and understanding among the races was essential, he pointed out.
He revealed the workings of his Cabinet, saying that ministers like Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, who is the MCA president, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Gerakan advisor Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik and Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein often “ganged up” on some issues.
“There is no feeling of difficulty, embarrassment or fear to speak up in the Cabinet on education, religion, culture or economy.
“We are not suspicious of one another. We are friends so we can be sincere and open with one another. That is the truth,” he said, adding that the Cabinet was comfortable with this kind of relationship, which was based on understanding and mutual respect.
“If there is no mutual respect, the Government can never survive in this kind of environment,” he said.
Abdullah reiterated that Malaysia’s strongest asset was its unity, strength and value in diversity.
“This will make Malaysia a truly great nation in the future,” he said.
In HONG KONG, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Government was committed to addressing the “legitimate concerns” of any community in Malaysia.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who was speaking at a press conference during his roadshow to promote Malaysia to fund managers, said the rally by the Hindu Rights Action Front was due to exploitation by opposition parties anticipating the general election.
He described the New Economic Policy as an affirmative action policy that benefited all communities.
“Otherwise, this Government would not have been returned to power in each general election,” he said.
The Prime Minister said he was aware of complaints about “what is happening to our economy, ... to this, and that.”
“I listen. The Prime Minister has big ears.
“At times pedih lah telinga ini – macam macam dengar (it is painful to these ears - hearing all sorts of things),” he said at the official opening of SJK (C) Ladang Harcroft in Puchong yesterday.
Abdullah stressed that he was not merely listening, adding that it was his duty to deal with problems and work on remedies.
“We are not keeping quiet. If we do not attend to problems, grouses, feelings of uneasiness, uncertainty and even anger, then one day we will suffer, everybody will suffer,” he said.
“If you are getting impatient, then I’m even more impatient,” he added.
Abdullah said while some matters could be resolved quickly, others took time and some issues needed even more deliberation.
He said the country had gained tremendous ground in eradicating poverty, cutting it down from 50% in 1971 to 5.7% at present.
“This is not something to be scoffed at. We Malaysians have every reason to be proud of the achievement,” he said, adding that the Government would continue to help the people regardless of race.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that eradicating poverty would not be an easy task.
“It’s not something that can be achieved in a short number of years. But we will persevere,” he said, citing education as an important tool in helping people break free from the scourge of poverty.
In a multi-racial and multi-religious country like Malaysia, mutual respect and understanding among the races was essential, he pointed out.
He revealed the workings of his Cabinet, saying that ministers like Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, who is the MCA president, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Gerakan advisor Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik and Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein often “ganged up” on some issues.
“There is no feeling of difficulty, embarrassment or fear to speak up in the Cabinet on education, religion, culture or economy.
“We are not suspicious of one another. We are friends so we can be sincere and open with one another. That is the truth,” he said, adding that the Cabinet was comfortable with this kind of relationship, which was based on understanding and mutual respect.
“If there is no mutual respect, the Government can never survive in this kind of environment,” he said.
Abdullah reiterated that Malaysia’s strongest asset was its unity, strength and value in diversity.
“This will make Malaysia a truly great nation in the future,” he said.
In HONG KONG, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Government was committed to addressing the “legitimate concerns” of any community in Malaysia.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who was speaking at a press conference during his roadshow to promote Malaysia to fund managers, said the rally by the Hindu Rights Action Front was due to exploitation by opposition parties anticipating the general election.
He described the New Economic Policy as an affirmative action policy that benefited all communities.
“Otherwise, this Government would not have been returned to power in each general election,” he said.
