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PM Abdullah issues defiant message on M’sia’s national day |
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Posted by admin
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Monday, 01 September 2008 10:39 |
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Malaysia’s embattled Prime Minister appealed for the nation’s support as the country celebrated 51 years of independence yesterday in the face of economic woes and opposition plans to topple the government within weeks.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who has faced calls to quit from within his own party after failing to check the rise of the opposition, led by Mr Anwar Ibrahim of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat, urged the country to remain united as it faced high inflation and a global slowdown.
“I am confident and believe that all the trials we are facing today can be overcome if we remain united and work together with firm determination,” Mr Abdullah said in a National Day (Merdeka Day) message yesterday.
“The world ... is impressed with Malaysia because not many countries with a multi-racial population exist with tolerance, peace and harmony.”
Mr Abdullah also referred indirectly to the threat by Mr Anwar’s plans to topple the government with parliamentary defections.
“A united people is a strong national bulwark against any threat, whether from within or outside the country,” he said in his speech.
Mr Abdullah’s Barisan Nasional (BN) Coalition has been in power since independence from Britain 51 years ago.
BN was dealt its worst ever setback in March general elections that handed the opposition five states and a third of parliamentary seats.
In June, a stunned nation heard of an accusation by a young male aide who claimed he was sodomised by Mr Anwar, who was convicted and jailed on the same charge about a decade ago. His conviction was overturned later. Mr Anwar says he was a victim of a political conspiracy both times.
Mr Anwar returned to Parliament last week after winning a by-election, and has said he would oust the BN government by the middle of this month. He has accused the government of corruption and poor management of the economy.
“Now, 51 years after independence, we are once again at a junction. We see ... democracy trampled on and the institution of the state made into a tool for power,” Mr Anwar said in a statement.
“It is time Malaysians made that choice to return the meaning of independence to this country.”
As part of the Merdeka celebrations, a colourful parade with dances by Malaysia’s three main ethnic groups — majority Malays and minority Chinese and Indians — passed through the historic Dataran Merdeka, or Independence Square.
Mr Abdullah last Friday offered tax cuts and perks in a 2009 budget designed to restore support for the beleaguered coalition and spur growth.
On Saturday, a gathering of religious leaders representing various faiths was held on Merdeka Day for the first time, The Star newspaper reported. Mr Abdullah said he wanted such a gathering to be held annually as part of the country’s National Day celebrations.
“This is a historic moment for all of us,” he told the gathering of some 300 religious leaders and representatives of various faith groups.
“We will see if there are opportunities for discussions to be held among the religious leaders.” Agencies
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The Blogs 
You hunted down and send 5 Indians to ISA while all they were trying to do was to highlight to you the deplorable conditions of Indians in Malaysia 
It is very unfortunate that Malaysia has produced two of the most talked about alumni from Oxford University!
Sufiah Yusuf, a Math genius turned hooker, who believes everything in life is sex!
Khairy Jamaludin (Your son-in-law) a corrupted UMNO leader, who believes everything in life, is money and power!
Fortunately Malaysia has also produced the likes of Anwar Ibrahim, whose lecturing career at Oxford University have benefited many students worldwide!