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Dr Mahathir’s slogan of “clean, efficient and trustworthy” was once exciting. But it turned out to be a joke of “corrupt, ineffective and non-trustworthy”. Meanwhile, Abdullah’s “work with me, not work for me” was once impressive, too. But it was halted because of UMNO’s internal resistance. By LIM MUN FAH/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily
Three days before he took the office, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak made a high profile visit to the country’s leading Chinese-language paper Sin Chew Daily. He promised not to take any highhanded action against the media. The first day after he has taken the office, Najib announced the release of 13 Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees, adding that the government will review the act. At the same time, the three-month ban on PAS’ Harakah and PKR’s Suara Keadilan has as well been lifted. A day after becoming the Prime Minister, Najib paid a visit in mufti to places representing the three major races, Malay, Chinese and India, in Kuala Lumpur. His first stop was Petaling Street, the KL’s Chinatown. | "He must be resolute and courageous in framing a more transparent, reasonable and fair policy." | A few days later, Najib will announce the line-up of his Cabinet – a smaller team that may again surprise the people. No matter how he was criticised by the Opposition, Najib’s actions have indeed made some kind of “shocking” effects. His every move is as well “breathtaking”. This is the success of Najib’s think-tank. It is said that the think-tank has framed a “hundred day’s reform” plan for Najib. “People First. Performance Now.” The slogan has no doubt a good start for Najib’s leadership. However, he does not have a long honeymoon period. He must show more his leadership characteristics and with more sincerity and goodwill, to regain the public’s support which the party has lost in the 8 March general elections. Compared to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Najib seems not strong enough; and while compared to Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Najib does not look soft enough either. He is now facing three by-elections, political chaos and challenging economic crisis. Would he really be able to turn the crisis into a turning point and create a new situation for Malaysia? Dr Mahathir’s slogan of “clean, efficient and trustworthy” was once exciting. But it turned out to be a joke of “corrupt, ineffective and non-trustworthy”. Meanwhile, Abdullah’s “work with me, not work for me” was once impressive, too. But it was halted because of UMNO’s internal resistance. If he does not wish to repeat the same mistakes, Najib must first dare to walk out from UMNO’s ruling pattern of authority and privileges, get rid of the impediments of the party’s internal vested interest group and conservative forces. He must be resolute and courageous in framing a more transparent, reasonable and fair policy. Only by this, he can truly reset the future rules and orders of Malaysia. In short, the success or failure of the reform lies in the implementation of the “new policy”, instead of beautiful slogans!
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He has enlisted the help of a very much hated old man - mamthir- to go and fish for votes. The old man could not even get enough UMNO members to vote for his son!
He can only pull oout some gimmicks here and there and Malaysians are well aware of these. They wont fall for them.