Putrajaya promises relief for middle-class after pump price hike

Putrajaya promised today that Malaysia's growing middle-class would get some cushion to face the pump price rise announced yesterday that has led to wide outrage.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak bit the bullet on populist measures when he announced yesterday that RON 95 petrol would be increased by 20 sen to RM2.10 per litre as part of the subsidy rationalisation programme of the government.

"The prime minister will announce certain measures to minimise the impact of the rise in petrol prices for the middle-class in the upcoming Budget," Finance Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Irwan Siregar Abdullah said in Kuala Lumpur today.

Middle-class consumers had voiced their displeasure at the petrol hike as the government would compensate the lower-income households (earning below RM3,000) with higher cash handouts under the Bantuan Rakyat 1 Malaysia (BRIM) but the middle-income group would feel the full brunt of the petrol increase.

"Even with the revised price, RON 95 subsidy provided by the government amounted to 63 sen per litre," Irwan said.

To another question on the announcement of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the upcoming Budget, Irwan said his ministry would launch an aggressive campaign to educate the public on GST if it was going to be implemented.

The Budget 2014 is due to be tabled on October 25, 2013.

(Source: http://news.malaysia.msn.com)

PM: BN did not steal victory in GE13

2013 YOUTH FESTIVAL: Najib (second left) with Khairy (right) during the launching of the festival. — Bernama photo

PUTRAJAYA: The Barisan Nasional (BN) did not steal victory from the opposition in the 13th general election (GE13), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said Malaysia practised a parliamentary democratic system as enshrined in the federal constitution whereby BN had won general elections based on winning more seats to form the government and not based on the popular votes system.

“The claim that we stole victory from the opposition is a falsehood because we did not cheat in the recent GE13.

“Show me the Bangladeshis who became voters? They (opposition) claimed 40,000 Bangladeshis converged on an airport, show which airport? Don’t drag a person just because he looked dark like a Bangladeshi,” he said when launching the 2013 Youth Festival, here on Saturday.

Also present were former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

Najib said the supremacy and loftiness of the constitution was the main pillar of the nation but the people had avenues to voice their opinions in line with parliamentary democracy.

“Whatever we want to voice out must be centred on the constitution and cannot be done by the roadside by demanding and causing chaos leading to insecurity as it is not in line with the constitution.

“As the younger generation, we must understand the demands for change must be based on the constitution and Rule of Law. If not the law of the jungle will prevail in our country,” he said.

Najib: Balance between individual and public freedom vital for democracy

PUTRAJAYA: There must be a balance between individual freedom and public interests for Malaysia to be regarded as a mature democratic nation, with respect for people's fundamental rights and the police in carrying out their duties, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

"This is very challenging as it is not easy. If we choose the easy way, we will not be carrying out transformation.

"But if we don't do transformation while the people demand it, there will be conflict between the people and government, which is not healthy," he said at a gathering of about 300 retired senior police officers.

Present were former inspectors-general of police Tun Hanif Omar, Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor and Tan Sri Norian Mai.

Najib said when a government could bring about transformation in line with the people's needs and demands, then they would appreciate the government more, and also the police.

He said that was why the government had stressed on the need to have a people-friendly police force, with their presence not to cause fear or worry to the public but to be seen as ensuring peace and security.

The prime minister said the people today demanded a bigger latitude; their fundamental rights be given consideration so that they could enjoy full freedom, and that was why the government had amended certain laws.

People from all walks of life cycle and walk together at Jom Ceria

Excited crowd: Najib greeting participants during the Jom Ceria event at Dataran Putrajaya.

 
PUTRAJAYA: Thousands of people spent their morning walking and cycling together, displaying the 1Malaysia spirit.

Participants of the Jom Ceria (Let's be Cheerful) came bright and early, gathering at the starting line at Dataran Putrajaya by 7.30am yesterday as they awaited the arrival of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The crowd, wearing T-shirts bearing the 1Malaysia logo, lived up to the event's name, cheering and waving miniature Malaysian flags as Najib arrived with his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Najib said such events were instrumental in bringing the people closer as the country works towards igniting the spirit of community among Malaysians.

“If we can break down barriers that divide Malaysians of different race and creed, we will become a more united people guided by the principles of 1Malaysia.

“A country that plays together, stays together,” he told the crowd.

Government not selective in giving out BR1M

BR1M-ming with delight: Recipients collecting their BR1M vouchers at the Dewan Cempaka Sari in Putrajaya. More than 3,500 received the RM500 aid.

 

PUTRAJAYA: The Government is not selective in giving out the 1Malaysia people's aid (BR1M), said Putrajaya MP Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

“Barisan Nasional has not been selective (in helping the people). We pray BR1M will continue because the Government cares and looks out for the people,” he said in his speech at an event that brought festive cheer to 3,500 underprivileged people here who each received the RM500 aid yesterday.

He advised voters to make the right choice in the coming general election “in the interest of the nation's future”.
“It is up to the rakyat. If you support Najib (referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak), then you must support the party he leads,” added Tengku Adnan, who is also Barisan and Umno secretary-general.

Najib wishes Happy Federal Territory Day to all

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wished residents of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan a happy Federal Territory Day.

The Prime Minister also hoped sustainable progress could be achieved and enjoyed by the people.

"Happy Federal Territory Day to the people of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.

“We want sustainable development to be enjoyed by all," he said in his latest tweet Friday.

Federal Territory Day is celebrated every Feb 1 to mark the formation of Kuala Lumpur as the first Federal Territory and Malaysia's capital city in 1974. - Bernama

(Source: The Star Online)

Najib: Vote back BN in S'gor, keep BN in Putrajaya

Prime Minister Najib Razak has called on the people of Selangor to vote in the BN to form the Selangor government and retain the BN as the federal government in the next general election.

"Do not change the federal government; change the (Selangor) state government; retain the BN in Putrajaya," he said at the ‘Ponggal' (Harvest) Festival 2013 in Klang.

Najib said the people of Selangor had heeded the call of the opposition to vote in the Pakatan Rakyat opposition pact in the last general election, in 2008.

He asked the people of Selangor to assess whether the Pakatan state administration had really solved the problems faced by them, including the Indian community, in the state.

The Pakatan state government had failed to solve many problems in Selangor, such as providing clean water supply and proper waste collection, and had not fulfilled many of its 2008 election promises, he said.

He also said that one of the unfulfilled promises of the current Selangor government was the allowance for single mothers.

"The opposition (government) in Selangor had made all kinds of promises for Tamil schools but there has been 'illai'," he said in using the Tamil word for none or nothing that had been forthcoming.

Najib said he could list the Tamil schools that the BN had helped and added that besides Tamil schools the federal government had assisted non-governmental organisations, such as the Sri Murugan Centre (SMC), to enhance the level of education of the Indian community.