NST Online » Frontpage

2009/05/15

"Dream on", Najib tells Pakatan Rakyat

By : Lee Ah Chai

Email to friend Print article

MANADO (INDONESIA), Fri:

PAKATAN Rakyat can keep on dreaming of a dissolution of the Perak state assembly. Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak said a dissolution was not the only way to end the political dispute there. He reminded the opposition that the ruling coalition has the majority to rule the state.

“Remember, BN was the biggest party (after the March 2008 general election) Sultan Azlan Shah agreed to appoint Nizar ( Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin ) as menteri besar after the state assemblymen (from Parti Keadilan Rakyat, DAP and Pas) signed declarations that they support him (to head the state government).

“Now the three (DAP’s Hee Yit Foong, and PKR’s Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu) signed declarations to support BN (leading to the appointment of Datuk Seri Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as the new MB).

“The sultan could have (re)appointed Tajol Rosli (Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli) but based on the spirit of democracy, the ruler agreed to appoint Nizar even though Pakatan Rakyat is not a legal entity.

“PR has lost the majority…we are using the same principle… it is not undemocratic or unconstitutional (to take over the Perak state government)”, Najib said.
He said the problem in Perak arose over Pakatan Rakyat’s refusal to accept reality.

“Why did they suspend six BN reps… it is against the spirit of democracy. We have the majority in Parliament, we can also suspend 20 opposition MPs (but) we cannot do as we please.”

To a question from reporters covering his trip here to attend the Coral Triangle Initiative Summit in , Najib said the calls from within BN for a dissolution of the state assembly was merely “differences of opinion”.

“We will take it into account (but to take over the government)… is not against democratic principles.

“Changing of parties happens in other countries, too. Winston Churchill did it many times, and recently a US senator also switched from the Republican party to the Democratic party.

“And remember, who wanted to steal 31 MPs from us to take over the government on Sept 16 (last year)? The first attempt to grab power was by PR… we didn’t start it but when they fail (and we succeeded), they accused us of grabbing power.”

Najib repeated his willingness to meet with Pakatan Rakyat leaders and that there should be no pre-conditions.

We should stop dreaming. Should we? Trust me, he might do the same thing as what his father did.

PR was not an legal entity during the appointment of Nizar as MB of Perak, who was from an illegal entity. Then does it mean that Tuanku had done something illegal? I believe Tuanku would not do that. (actually I doubt that as well, from the recent appointment of Mr Z as MB. People will not know the truth. For me, it was a manipulation in politics)

PR started the grab of MPs? But they failed, so BN can do that now. So the grab of MPs is acceptable in BN point of view, am I right? This means that it is ok to grab MPs actually.

But I have something in mind. The three frog, two of them are suspects of involving in corruption. Why they are not sued by government? What is our anti corruption body doing?
BN still take them as their supporters... Hmm... How come?? I wonder....