KUCHING: Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan has
described Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as being visionary
when the latter announced that the government would continue to give
1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) in the coming years.
He said Najib would not consider his vision as fulfilled if the needs
of people from all strata of society regardless of race, creed,
religion and political affiliation are not taken care of.
To him, the announcement reflects the premier’s concern for the poor,
needy, under-privileged and the ordinary people, which should not be
construed as a political gimmick.
Mawan, who is also national BN vice-chairman, said this yesterday
when countering a statement by State Pakatan Rakyat that Najib was
desperate to win the coming general election by fishing for votes using
BR1M 3.0 and BR1M 4.0.
“It is his (Najib’s) sustained concern that goes a long way to care
for the poor, needy, under-privileged and the small men. He touches the
hearts of millions.
“The prime minister’s gesture and goodwill are extraordinary. He is a
man who keeps his promises. BR1M 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 are not done just
like pushing candies as per what the opposition perceived it to be. It
goes a long way to care for the people. It is beyond giving,” he added.
The Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president believed
people are now convinced that Najib is the most caring prime minister.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) state vice-chairman See Chee How, who is
Batu Lintang assemblyman, had said Najib was out of his wits and giving a
terribly bad signal that Malaysians could be bought over with BR1M
series when the people desired fundamental and structural changes for a
more democratic, transparent and just society.
“On a lesser note, I think it is irresponsible for him to make promises for the future government,” said See.
State Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary Chong Chieng Jen, who
is Bandar Kuching MP, had also said it was clear that BR1M was an
election gimmick to fish for votes.
“I believe to make a country is not just by giving a lump sum of
monies and that a good government must give equal and fair economic
opportunity to the people,” said Chong, who is Kota Sentosa assemblyman.
When contacted yesterday, Land Development Minister Dr James Masing
said it would be good if the aid could be given to the people every
year.
“This means, we give to the people what the government earns through
sound investment. Thus BR1M is not just a BN election gimmick,” said
Masing, who is Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president and national BN
vice-chairman.
To chief political secretary to the chief minister Abdullah Saidol,
Najib was sincere when announcing the BR1M 3.0 and BR1M 4.0 in Senai
Johore a few days ago.
He said as finance minister, Najib was well-versed with financial
prudence and knew the government’s capability in not only distributing
BR1M but also other assistance schemes to ease the burden of the people.
Entrepreneur Rodger Chan Siong Boh said Najib, being the finance
minister, has special financial advisors to help him with the
government’s healthy cash flow.
“BR1M helps to stimulate cash flow in the economy which in turn spurs
the country’s economic activity. Cash flow is an important ingredient
for success of personal finance, business entity and country’s economy.
“Cash is like petrol in a car – you run out you stop … or worst, like
gasoline in a flying aircraft – you run out, you crash. Running out of
gas here could include ‘borrowing’ in financial terms,” he explained.
“Unlike infrastructure stimulus packages, BR1M helps the individual,
business or economy to survive, flow and prosper from the street and
grassroots level upwards,” he added.
No comments:
Post a Comment