PM's Interview With Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, March 15 (Bernama) -- Following are extracts of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's interview with BERNAMA TV (BTV) commentator Sharkawi Jirim at the prime minister's official residence, Seri Perdana, here Friday: The 30-minute interview covered various matters related to the 12th general election last Saturday, including Abdullah's explanation of the reasons for the Barisan Nasional (BN) losing its two-third majority in Parliament.

BTV: Bernama TV expresses its highest appreciation for we are at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. It is indeed a great honour to have been given the opportunity of this interview with The Most Honourable Datuk Seri.

Based on the outcome of the recent general election, perhaps Datuk Seri may want to give an explanation of the results.

PM: I accept in good faith the decision of the people which determined the position of the (political) parties which participated (in the general election). Secondly, I have acknowledged that the results we secured are far different, a decline from the results of 2004. There are reasons for this, definitely, and the primary one is that the people wanted to state that they harboured dissatisfaction in the four years that I have been leading the government and, therefore, they wanted a change.

As such, I will implement whatever I can implement. I understand what the people are aspiring for. There may have been shortcomings and weaknesses in the implementation. These will be rectified. BTV: We believe that in the four years of helming the country, Datuk Seri must have had to put up with many challenges and trials. Personally, what were the most demanding of these challenges in the four years of your prime ministership.

PM: Firstly, it was having to understand all the arising problems, particularly in connection with inter-racial relations. Along with the issues which cropped up from time to time. I had to ensure that the relations were good and there was always the feeling of mutual respect and goodwill.

Secondly, it was of importance to ensure that the people enjoyed peace and security. Another major problem that I am having to put up with is inflation, following the drastic increase in fuel prices. This is not something that is easy to put up with but we have done so all this while and will continue to face in the new administration.

Besides, the national economy must continue to grow and remain strong. What we want for our national economy is to achieve success, though a little at a time but success which the people aspire for. Only economic strength will guarantee that we secure investments and successfully implement all the projects we want to carry out.

One change that has come about is that our young people who were voters in this elections. They have their own aspirations in this country. What are their aspirations that we have to fulfill Their thinking of today may differ. Their aspirations are not the same as those of the older people or of the time when I was younger, 30 or 40 years ago. These differences must be identified and understood. We have to respond as best we can to their needs so that they understand that this is the only country where they feel there is hope for a living, hope to be successful in their respective careers, hope to secure jobs, hope to secure opportunities in the careers of their interest.

These are the needs which have to be attended to and these are fresh needs, and we have to address issues such as these. I believe that in addressing issues such as these, what I have to attain is understanding and the willingness for cooperation to successfully implement the planned projects and programmes or new policies. BTV: After the results of the election were announced, many quarters were doubtful of Datuk Seri's position. In fact, there were those who said Datuk Seri must retire but, Praise be to God, Datuk Seri has so far received strong support, not only from Umno but also from the BN component parties. Your comment, Datuk Seri.

PM: I appreciate the support of the Umno leaders and members as well as the leaders of the BN component parties. I also understand that though the support for the BN helmed by me has declined compared to that in 2004, the majority attained this time around is a strong majority, only eight seats less than the 148 needed to secure a two-third majority. It is still the trust, the mandate given to me. I will not shy away from my responsibility to implement whatever the people aspire for from what I have gathered based on their support.

BTV: Bernama TV respects Datuk Seri's stand. What the people are talking about now is the cabinet line-up which Datuk Seri is going to announce. Perhaps, Datuk Seri could give some indication of the line-up PM: The cabinet will surely be made up of leaders of integrity capable of implementing what has been planned. We want the transformation that is to be introduced to be implemented to the best of our ability. Consideration must be made for the cabinet to comprise ministers from among the communities in the country, regardless of whether they are Chinese, Indian, Iban or Kadazan. All of them will be in the cabinet. Also, importantly, the cabinet will have new faces whom I will choose.

BTV: Is there any possibility of ministers who lost in the general election being reappointed based on their capability and expertise.

PM: We have no intention of reappointing those who have lost. BTV: An interesting aspect, when considering the election results, is that many issues were raised, particularly by the opposition parties during the election campaign. Some of the issues raised seemed to be trivial but they made an impact. In your view, Datuk Seri, what were the issues the opposition parties used which enabled them to achieve what is assumed as extraordinary.

PM: They took advantage to exploit to the fullest those issues which were related to what they assumed were the source of the people's dissatisfaction. The issue of rising prices of goods, fuel prices ... these were the important issues, also issues related to race, crime, corruption. These were repeated often. They knew that the people were dissatisfied with these things and it made it easy for them to garner their support.

But these are issues which I have not forgotten. I have to take all measures to resolve these issues. This is important. This will be given top priority in my administration.

BTV: The support of the Indian, Chinese and Malay communities for the BN seems to have declined somewhat compared to the past. Why has this happened.

PM: This came about due to the dissatisfaction over the distribution of various facilities, whether projects or other things. As such, this has a connection to the implementation of programmes and projects which the government has planned. They do not oppose, do not express dissatisfaction with the development programmes planned for. They question the implementation, with which they are dissatisfied. As such, I will give full attention to the implementation (of programmes) in the new administration. We have set the policies, implementation of projects have begun or at least have been launched for implementation. In the next four or five years, I will given attention to the implementation, set right the implementation, ensure fair distribution among the races, ensure everything proceeds smoothly and effectively and fulfils the aspirations of the people. I will give emphasis to all these. Another matter is peace and security. These will be given priority. I want the country to be a peaceful and safe place. The laws are there. They have not changed even though the election showed less support than before. The laws are still applicable; they are still enforceable, and I will enforce the laws because it is most important that our country is peaceful and safe. Without peace, no development can be carried out well. As such, it is a pre-condition, the first condition to ensure that the administration runs well and all implementation is carried out well.

BTV: Many people are also asking what would happen to the mega projects planned prior to the general election in states now not administered by the BN. Does Datuk Seri plan to go ahead with these planned projects.

PM: There will not be any change in the projects which have been planned, which have had agreements worked out or contracts awarded. These will be carried out. These are promises to the people. These are federal government programmes. The administration of the federal government covers all the states in Malaysia. We will see them through. It is important we keep to the promises. Our responsibility is to all the states, whether it is the NCER (Northern Corridor Economic Region), highways, roads and others which have been scheduled for implementation and the contracts have been worked out for implementation. I will not retract these. Instead, I will ensure that they are implemented well as had been projected. BTV: Regarding Umno, it is said that one of the reasons the BN failed to perform well is because there is internal crisis in Umno itself. Can Datuk Seri elaborate on this internal issue and did this crisis contribute to the dismal performance of Umno and the BN.

PM: Clearly and frankly, I say that what happened within Umno was also related to the nomination of candidates, some were dissatisfied, some didn't want to support and some didn't want to help. All sorts of things happened with regard to the candidates who were selected. Most of the things faced throughout the general election were related to the choice of candidates. We chose the candidates carefully, had to ensure that the candidate had no criminal record, were not involved in corruption, that was most important, and should also not be a bankrupt or going to be bankrupt. We picked preferably those with positions in the party but still there was dissatisfaction and this was one thing that weakened our campaign.

But I don't deny that the external force that did not want to support is a force that we have to acknowledge because it is what the people have decided on and want. It is also this external coalition that has done the damage but I want to stick to my understanding, that is, the people wanted to give a signal and the signal is for Pak Lah to rectify the implementation, ensure that everything runs well, nicely and firmly so that our country will truly be safe for everyone and everyone will enjoy peace and development will be carried out without discrimination and to ensure equitable distribution of opportunities for all races.

BTV: Another thing that Datuk Seri may want to say, especially to the component parties which received a bashing in the general election, to Gerakan, MCA or MIC, for example. Maybe Datuk Seri wants to say something to the component parties. PM: I hope they understand why this misfortune has befallen the parties that they lead. Surely they must have analysed this matter. The important thing is that whatever the finding, it should be used as a guide for correction. Don't give up or feel like not doing anything because they are too sad over the defeat. They must take positive and stern action to rectify the bad thing that has happened to the party. I will do the same with Umno and Barisan Nasional in general. That's important.

BTV: Datuk Seri's call to the successful BN candidates. As Datuk Seri has said, what happened in the general election was like a protest from the people against the BN and those who were successful should learn from what has happened. What is Datuk Seri's advice to them.

PM: My advice to them is that when they become elected representatives they muse represent the people and serve them. There are complaints about lack of attention, lack of service, lack of effectiveness, the role of elected representatives both at the parliamentary and state levels. So they must understand this and ensure that whatever they implement in their respective constituencies, be they related to the development of small projects or their relationship with the people and certain groups like the non-governmental organisations, must be done and must be programmes that can help the people. Pay attention to the poor. They must understand that they are the ones who are expected to serve the people because the people have given them their support to become elected representatives. This they must really understand, be people-friendly, don't be arrogant. If they are arrogant, the people won't want them.

BTV: That's your advice to the successful candidates from the BN but surely Datuk Seri has advice and also criticism for the candidates from the opposition which had formed several state governments. We believe they have raised several issues that can touch on the feelings of other races like when they talk about the NEP (New Economic Policy) and the privileges of the Malays and so forth. I believe Datuk Seri is also uneasy about what is happening now. Datuk Seri's view on this.

PM: They must understand that they are the administrators now. The governments in the states are governments under their control. They must be more responsible when issuing statements. Don't make statements just to be popular with certain races. Whatever statement they make, they must be careful not to jeopardise relations among the races. Don't allow certain races to feel neglected or ignored. Don't simply change policies...think them through first. Statements on the NEP must take into account the meaning, the policy and the intention of the policy. Doing as they wish will bring dire consequences. This is something very important for them to understand. Being the government is not the same as being the opposition party. The roles of the opposition party and the ruling party are different. Now they know that it's not that easy. PM: This shows that there are various problems when one wants to rule. They are only three parties. We have 14 parties. I believe the people are watching what they do now.

BTV: Finally, we give Datuk Seri a chance to speak to the people of Malaysia who probably have cooled down a bit with the announcement of the election results because ultimately what's important is that, as Malaysians, we want to see the country peaceful and prosperous and continue to progress.

PM: I take the election results that we obtained recently seriously and will definitely address the people's aspirations and matters that the people are uneasy about that can cause their anger, rectify the shortcomings, weaknesses, delays or unfairness in implementing projects promised by the government. I will make sure of this.

Secondly, I want to ensure that our country is a safe country for everyone. Security is very important. I know that an unsafe country will not have peace. If there's no peace, it's very difficult for us to develop the nation. I place priority on national development, the people need development that they can enjoy, better quality opportunities for a comfortable life in their own country which is peaceful and safe. I want to ensure and make the changes that have been promised, many more of which need to be implemented. I have to stress this and I hope to get the people's support. I will not run away from the responsibility that has been entrusted on me. Although it's not a two-third majority, it's a big majority which will enable me to implement and ensure that the BN rule runs smoothly and is capable of producing the results hoped for by the people.

BTV: Thanks for the sincere views from the prime minister and I believe that the people of Malaysia have received a clear picture of the firm stand expressed by the Most Honourable Prime Minister.

-- BERNAMA