BN Manifesto Meets People's Needs, Says Ali Rustam

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional (BN) manifesto for the general election meets the needs of the people, said Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.

He said the "Security, Peace, Prosperity" slogan of the manifesto would create a peaceful environment for the government to implement development programmes for the people.

"It is a clear message that the country gives importance to security and peace to continue bringing development for greater prosperity," he told reporters after a gathering organised by the Melaka Islamic Welfare Association (Pekida) in Melaka last night. Mohd Ali, who is also Melaka Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno vice president, was commenting on the BN manifesto announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday.

He said the 2004 general election slogan "Excellence, Glory and Distinction" was picked because at that time the country was in a transition period and there was a need to strive for excellence to bring the nation to greater heights.

Mohd Ali said four years on, problems cropped up like that brought by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and opposition parties who wanted street demonstrations while the people wanted peace and security.

"The security issues make us feel not that safe anymore. The government has since recruited 60,000 police personnel and added patrol cars to allay fears. "We want to create a safer environment that is peaceful, without street demonstrations that scare the people off," he said.

Mohd Ali said BN wanted to inform the people of the security situation so that they would feel safe.

He added Melaka BN will also campaign using the additional slogan "Together We Create History"(Bersama Mencipta Sejarah) as Melaka would become a developed state by 2010.

-- BERNAMA