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| UMNO President |
UMNO 68th ANNIVERSARY: Following is the transcript of the interview
with Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak on the
‘Ruang Bicara Khas’ talkshow over BernamaTV. Najib was interviewed for
an hour at the Prime Minister’s Office by Bernama editor-in-chief Datuk
Zulkefli Salleh, BernamaTV chief executive officer Datuk Ibrahim Yahaya
and Bernama assistant editor Jamaluddin Muhammad in conjunction with
Umno’s 68th anniversary today. ’Ruang Bicara Khas’ was aired at 9pm
yesterday over Astro Channel 502
Question: Umno will observe its 68th anniversary on May 11.
If Umno is equated to a human being, it is now aged, less energetic,
less active and, perhaps, low-spirited. How do you see Umno in this
context?
Answer: Umno remains competent. In fact, in the last general election,
we won more seats. This goes to show that no matter what is being said,
Umno is still the strongest party in the country.
This indicates that though a party is 68, it does not mean it is
growing weaker or becoming less energetic. Nevertheless, I acknowledge
that a party must undergo transformation. We must overcome the
challenges to keep Umno relevant at all times.
Question: Transform or fall. I remember what you said after
taking over the leadership of the party. However, there is dissent that
there have been no significant changes in Umno. Perhaps, the change is
not tangible. Do you see any change in attitude and mindset?
Answer: I look at it from several aspects. Firstly, from the viewpoint
of Umno, the policies buttressed by Umno through the government; these
are perceptible. For example, Umno supports the national transformation
policy, Umno supports the 1Malaysia concept and Umno supports all the
initiatives of the government.
From the viewpoint of Umno, we have brought about change and reform.
For the first time in our history, we implemented what we call a direct
election. We no longer banked on the 2,600 delegates who come to Kuala
Lumpur to elect the party leadership from the top to the level of the
supreme council. We conducted the election with the participation of
160,000 grassroots members.
I admit that we need more time to effect change in terms of values and
culture that reflect what we should do in the context of the new
political environment. I wish to emphasise that we must be practitioners
of the new politics, not the old. I admit that this takes time because
changing the human mindset is a time-consuming exercise.
Question: The new process of elections you introduced was aimed
at doing away with money politics. Are they (Umno members) prepared to
change in terms of mindset and culture to do away with offering bribes
to garner support? Have they discarded that after you introduced the new
election process?
Answer: Not yet fully. I admit that it has not happened fully as yet
... but I believe we are getting there. This may be the first phase.
Then, we have to determine whether there is a better way and how to
change the mindset or attitude and values of members and leaders at the
grassroots.
They are so loyal to the party; they serve the party. However, I hope
that when it comes to party elections, we uphold noble values.
Question: Do you see any change for the better?
Answer: There has been an improvement in some aspects, but we have to continue making improvements in other aspects.
Question: One more thing on the rejuvenation of the party.
Rejuvenation of the party does not necessarily mean more young people
joining the party. In the last general election, Umno won more seats
while fellow component parties saw a drop in support. Did the
reformation or transformation have an effect on Umno in the last general
election?
Answer: Some increase in support for Umno indicates that the change we
brought about has been well-received by the people, but support for Umno
in the urban areas is not that satisfactory.
In moving forward, we have to continue to defend Umno, our strength and
base in the rural areas. Besides, we have to be seen as a party that
enjoys growing support in the urban areas, including in the major
cities.
Question: Do you see any success in the rejuvenation of Umno itself?
Answer: Not yet. I regard it as a process. It is not possible to bring
about rejuvenation in one term or in less than one term. However, it is a
journey; the process must be continuous.
So, in one term, some younger and new leaders will come on board and we
will continue with this process. We have to identify new talent that we
can promote. It must be a structured process, not one that happens on
its own accord.
There must be a structured effort so that Umno is seen as a party that
recognises new leaders, intellectuals, professionals and those who stand
for what we often refer to as Gen-Y. We have to be a party that
executes this process of renewal.
Question: There has been talk that there were not many changes
in terms of new faces in the last election. Do you regard this as
something positive or negative?
Answer: We cannot do anything disquieting. We have to have continuity
and renewal. Both these elements have to be worked at simultaneously.
Some leaders have to be retained because their services are needed.
Some new leaders are brought to the fore; we promote them in the
government and in the party. Their contribution becomes extensive. So,
these two elements have to move in tandem.
Question: At the level of the grassroots, the same people
continue to be the divisional chiefs. How can rejuvenation take place if
these people want to remain even after four or five terms?
Answer: Umno is a democratic party. We can only portray in principle,
but eventually, it is left to the Umno members to choose. They do not
have to retain the existing leaders... they may even reject all of them.
If the old leaders can continue to serve and contribute and have the
support of the members, they can remain as leaders.
On the contrary, many divisions -- about 35 per cent -- have seen a
change in the divisional leaders. I see this as an encouraging change.
If there has been a change in a third of the divisions, perhaps there
will be a change in another third of the divisions at the next election.
Question: I seek your view as the party president. Undeniably,
Umno is the oldest ruling party, even in the world. Umno has served not
only the Malays but also all the people in the country. Umno under your
leadership has various good programmes, transformation, raising the
country to a high-income nation, etc. However, at the same time, it is
equated to an old man who is not respected by the young. It is said to
have been in power too long and is outdated. So, as the president, are
you not hurt or angry as you aspire to lead the country towards the
promised destination?
Answer: That opinion reflects the openness of our society. Our society
is more open now. The role of the social media is widespread. It has
never been so, ever.
This diversity of views is ever vibrant in our society. We must admit
that we are moving towards a more mature democratic society. The more
mature our society, the more diverse the views.
In one sense, we can see this as a healthy development. In another, we,
as the leaders, have to exercise great patience. It is said that we
have to accept the fact that there is no more one school of thought as
in the past. Diversity can be said to be the norm in a more open, more
mature and more educated society.
This is a fact that we have to accept in any country. We have to accept
differences of opinion and criticism as the norm. The important thing
is the majority. Do the majority support Umno? If the majority among the
young do not support Umno, it would have been impossible for us to have
won more seats in the last general election.
However, those who oppose us, who do not accept Umno, are also large in
numbers. The important thing is that the majority are still with Umno.
Question: What you mean to say is that dissent does not
necessarily mean that Umno is disunited or weak? Is this a healthy
democracy?
Answer: It is a sign of the changing times. We cannot hide what is
happening now because our society is exposed to the elements of
globalisation, for example, technology in the success of educating our
people. I regard this as the effects of Umno's success story in leading
our country.
Question: Don't you think this extensive freedom can sidetrack people from appreciating Umno's struggle for or service to them?
Answer: I can accept differences of opinion but, as the prime minister,
I give importance to peace and harmony in the country. It is for this
reason that we have freedom, but with limitations.
Not absolute freedom without legal limitations because that can lead to
chaos, anarchy. Surely, we do not want anarchy. We want a tolerant
society in terms of differences of opinion, people who accept the
principles of democracy.
While there are differences of opinion, the views of the majority will
eventually determine who is in charge. Those people intent on causing
trouble and instability in the country will have to face the law.
Question: You mentioned patience. Do you regard yourself as a man of patience?
Answer: I have to accept that we live in a liberal democracy. As such,
differences of opinion will be the norm. You can see that in countries
that have practised democracy longer than us, this is something normal
for them.
Question: People regard your patience as a weakness to act.
Answer: No, no. I do not regard that as a weakness. I would like to
ask, do they want a situation where anyone who expresses an opinion is
arrested under the ISA (Internal Security Act)? Do we want that? Surely,
the majority of Malaysians do not want such a situation.
They want us to be a society that has latitude to express opinions,
even if they differ. But do not go to the extent of causing harm to the
country. That is what I want to emphasise.
INTERNAL SECURITY ACT
Question: Some quarters in Umno feel that you are too gentle.
Perhaps you have a high level of tolerance. They say go ahead and make
arrests because inaction can lead to something undesirable. However, you
say that politics has changed; people are more democratic, highly
educated. How far can you push this tolerance?
Answer: I believe the majority of Malaysians want more latitude for
political discourse. They do not want their opinions stifled; they do
not want to live in a state of fear. If you make an evaluation, not all
want to return to the era of the ISA.
I view this as a positive development. Although there are people who
want a return to the era of the ISA, we have adequate powers to act
against those who attempt to destroy peace and harmony in the country.
We have acted against some people under the Security Offences (Special
Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma). We can act under Sosma against those who
show a tendency to commit violence.
We still have the Sedition Act. We can act, based on the principles of
this law, against those who instigate and touch on sensitive issues that
can lead to brawls and such.
We act based on the country's laws. We do not make arrests at our whims
and fancies. I believe that if we do that, more people will be angry
with the government.
Some countries in the Middle East have laws tougher than ours, but what
happened? The people got angry and the regimes were eventually toppled.
Question: Don't you think this patience or tolerance portrays
that you are not firm and that may result in a decline in Malay support
for Umno?
Answer: No. Support for Umno grew during the last (general) election.
We proved that support for Umno increased. We must try and understand
that if we act as in the past, will the support remain or will the
people be angry with the government? We must make an evaluation.
Question: People relate the abolition of the ISA to openness.
Will the people be open without the ISA by resorting to condemning the
royalty and religion? What is your view, Datuk Seri?
Answer: We have to select the type of society we want. As a government,
we would have to take the majority opinion. We cannot take the opinion
of any one group.
I want to know the opinion of the majority of Malaysians. Do we want a
society where we have latitude to discuss politics, even with differing
opinions or do we want a society where we have absolute power and cannot
be questioned by anyone? We can arrest people if we want to. Do we want
that? We ask the people to show us the type of society that we want.
As a leader, I am prepared to do whatever I feel is best and I have to
also evaluate the acceptance of our society. In my opinion, what the
government and I are doing today is the best for our country.
Question: While on the differences of opinion, you have
Facebook and Twitter accounts, and they also carry criticisms against
you. How do you deal with these negative comments?
Answer: There is no reaction. I reject all of them. If they talk
nonsense, condemn or insult, I consider them to be from the lunatic
fringe or people who are ill-mannered or irrational.
Some offer rational criticism. I can accept rational and civilised
criticism. I try to evaluate the criticism, whether it is made with or
without basis. This is the kind of society we want.
We are courageous enough to accept criticism so long as it is made in a
civilised manner. And, with all sense of humility, we consider
ourselves not as know-alls. I have said that the era of the government
knows best is over.
We accept the opinions of the people if they are good and with basis.
The government is prepared to consider them. This is the openness of the
present age, which I think our society needs.
We must not forget that we want to progress to being a developed
country. All of us say we want Malaysia to be a developed country. Do
the old ways match the characteristics and values of a developed
country? That is what I want to ask.
Question: After 2008, we have seen a proliferation of
politically - oriented Malay non-governmental organisations. They seem
not to want to voice their interests/desires through Umno and they are
among those who want the ISA reinstated. How does one reconcile with
this group?
Answer: We must understand that we have various opinions in our
society. The question is whether these opinions are reflective of the
majority or otherwise, or they are just the voice of a group in society.
This is what we have to evaluate.
Question: Cadreship. Is this process ongoing and is Umno still striving to shape new leaders?
Answer: We are searching. Firstly, I want Umno to give room to new
leaders so that they do not feel it is troublesome to join Umno and that
they have to work their way up from the grassroots. Some professionals
do not wish to get involved in the processes at the branch level and so
on.
That is why we have to give them room. What's wrong with appointing
three or four people from among the professionals, such as ulama,
lawyers and doctors, as additional committee members so that the
committee reflects the composition of society as a whole without having
to dispense with grassroots leaders?
Question: What is Umno celebrating on its 68th anniversary? Unity, integrity or diversity in Umno specifically?
Answer: We can celebrate a most successful party in an open democratic
system in the history of human civilisation. This is excellence for
Umno. No one can deny the fact that we are the oldest party and also the
most successful.
BARISAN NASIONAL
Question: Umno cannot stand alone. Umno won more seats (in the
last general election). However, while Umno moved forward, fellow
Barisan Nasional component parties fell behind. Is there a formula for
them to progress together?
Answer: This is what we are figuring out. Perhaps we could adopt a
measure whereby we emerge more as Barisan Nasional (BN) in terms of our
programmes and activities, without Umno catering to just Umno, MCA to
MCA, and MIC to MIC.
We have to share one platform, where we come together and are seen as
BN, and not separately as MCA, MIC and Umno. It will be a new political
model that we can consider, looking ahead. We have to consider the
plight of our friends in BN so that we can increase our strength as a
whole.
Question: What is your advice to leaders of the Chinese
community? Is there a need for them to work harder, like in the case of
the Kajang by-election? What is the best formula to win the hearts of
the Chinese voters?
Answer: They (MCA) cannot feel disappointed. They must continue with
their efforts to convince the Chinese community. Secondly, they must
increase their engagement with the Chinese community.
They have to give explanations and listen to their grievances and find
out why they do not support the government. Then, they must explain the
actual situation so that they are not confused by the instigations or
allegations of the opposition parties.
We, as government representatives, can also provide them with
explanations. Hopefully, any confusion can be cleared through engagement
with them.
Question: Will MCA's return to the cabinet help?
Answer: I believe MCA has to be in the cabinet. Unless we have input
from the Chinese community representatives to draw up the country's
policies, they cannot say that they also participated in the process to
formulate the country's laws and decisions.
Question: One year after the last general election, what is
your preliminary analysis of the strength of (BN) component parties such
as MCA, Gerakan and MIC?
Answer: There is some improvement, but much has to be done until we can
say that the process of rehabilitation has been completed. It is not
done yet. We have time (until) the next general election.
Neverthelesss we must understand that we have a time limit and must do our best.
THE NAJIB ADMINISTRATION
Question: Datuk Seri, your party (Umno) has won more seats (in
the last general election). However, BN does not have a two-third
majority (in Parliament). In this scenario, you are facing an era of
openness, a diversity of views, the challenge of moving the country
towards developed nation status... too many issues, I observe. I would
not want to be the prime minister. How are you coping?
Answer: In a liberal democracy, we are strong enough if we have 60 per cent of the seats.
In the United Kingdom, for example, the Conservative Party did not get
an overall majority. It had to partner the Liberal Party to form the
government. But, it is still administering the country. Our mindset
should not be too bound by the two-third factor as if it is the ultimate
yardstick.
So long as we are not trapped by that mental block, I believe that with
the majority that we have, we can administer our country, but the only
thing that we cannot do is amend the Constitution.
However, we can still formulate policies and laws. We have done that.
These can be approved by Parliament with a comfortable majority.
The integrity of our administration is not undermined. We can carry on
with our administration smoothly. That (two-third factor) is merely a
mental block. So, I hope we will all focus on the work to develop our
country.
Question: Where did this courage come from? Was it from the Umno members, past champions of Umno or friends in the cabinet?
Answer: I do not feel threatened. I got the mandate of the people
through a healthy democratic process, the most open in the history of
our country.
I believe this is a responsibility that I have to shoulder and I am
committed to undertaking that trust with great determination. I want to
leave it to the people to make their evaluation when the time comes. I
am not perturbed. I will continue to run the administration according to
what I think is best for the country.
Question: In your first term (as the prime minister), your
administration seemed to have many new policies and programmes, such as
1Malaysia, Government Transformation Programme, Economic Transformation
Programme, etc. However, in your second term, many feel there is no
direction. What's your comment?
Answer: They do not understand. Firstly, when I introduced the
1Malaysia concept, it was not a question of elections. It was all about
nation building, shaping a nation. Shaping a nation does not mean that I
have to introduce a new concept every term. People will ask what
happened to the 1Malaysia concept after just four years.
As for the transformation, I have said it goes on until 2020. Don't
tell me that in 2014, I should announce that Vision 2020 is no more.
With the commitment and support given to me in this second term, I will
persevere until Vision 2020 is achieved, until our desire to be a
developed nation becomes a reality. Only after 2020 can we have a new
vision in place.
What does vision mean? A vision stretches over a long period. Don't
tell me we must replace the vision with a new one in just four years.
That is ridiculous.
Question: Datuk Seri, what you need is time. How much time would you need? Up to 2020?
Answer: I assumed the leadership of the country in 2009. My pledge to
the people then was to make the country a developed nation in 2020. We
are just at 2014. Give me the time to prove that I can achieve what I
have pledged to the people.
We are still moving towards 2020. Much remains to be done. We have achieved a lot, but much more remains to be implemented.
We can see from the economy, for example, that we have done well in a
situation of uncertainty. We achieved a most satisfactory growth rate of
4.7 per cent. This year, God willing, we may do better.
THE ECONOMY
Question: I see that this issue of not understanding
(something) is also associated with the GST (Goods and Services Tax).
What's the problem?
Answer: They (the people) do not understand. They think this a new tax,
a fresh burden they have to shoulder. No one likes taxes. So, when the
opposition branded it as a new tax, it struck fear in everyone.
Spontaneously, they say they will not support the GST when the GST
merely replaces the existing sales and service tax. It is a system of
taxation that replaces the existing one.
Secondly, they do not understand that we have exempted many essential
goods from the tax. These are zero-rated. We have to list all these
goods.
Many people do not know about fiscal consolidation; they do not want to
know about the national deficit. They want to know the price of their
nasi lemak, pre-GST and post-GST; about (the price of) infant milk
formula, pre-GST and post-GST.
If we can illustrate the prices of several goods pre-GST and post-GST,
the people will realise that the GST actually will not burden them.
I would not deny that the rate of inflation may rise a little, but only
in the first year of the implementation of the GST. After that, it will
return to normal.
Question: We have explained what GST is over the electronic
media, newspapers and the new media, but when you go to the villages,
people ask whether they will be affected by the GST. This happens even
after it has been explained that the prices of fish, flour and cooking
oil, for example, will not be affected. Why are they so afraid of the
acronym GST?
Answer: It is because some people have frightened them by saying GST will be an added burden, an additional tax and so on.
We have to go on giving explanations to the people. One explanation
will not be enough to make them understand. We have to keep repeating.
They have to listen to one message several times to understand.
Question: Some people are saying that the government is
introducing the GST to raise money for its coffers, after which it can
spend lavishly.
Answer: It is not a question of the government running out of funds. It
is to stabilise the country's sources of revenue. We will have more
sources of revenue. We can reduce the national deficit. Malaysia's
rating will improve and we will have greater capacity to implement
projects and services for the people.
Secondly, we can also take care of the welfare of the civil servants
because this is dependent on the sources of our revenue. Our revenue is
too small compared with the number of people employed.
And, do not forget, there are people who do not pay taxes and who
"dwell" in the black economy. Anyone who engages in any activity will be
required to pay taxes and these people in the black economy will also
have to pay taxes, but these taxes are fair.
Wage earners cannot avoid paying taxes but many people who engage in
business and other services may be able to avoid paying taxes or not pay
taxes in full.
Question: During the general election campaign last year, you
often quoted the slogan "People First". However, after winning the
election, it is said that you implemented a subsidy rationalisation that
apparently placed a burden on the people, particularly the low-income
group.
Answer: No. The subsidy rationalisation is something we had to
implement because of much leakage and wastage. For example, if the
subsidy for fuel price is too high, up to RM23 billion annually, much
leakage occurs. People who should not, the rich and so on benefit.
So, we replaced it with a targeted subsidy (direct subsidy). That was
why we raised the quantum of the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) to strike
a balance when we raised the fuel price. This is how we do it. We
reduce the bulk subsidy, but help those eligible for the direct subsidy.
Question: The opposition argues that leakages occur in the
government and that if these leakages and wastages are reduced, it is
needless to reduce subsidies.
Answer: We do tighten (controls). We take action based on the
Auditor-General's Report. I have asked the chief secretary to the
government to announce the action taken by the government against
irregularities.
Almost all government procurement is done through tender. There is no
direct negotiation, but through tender -- whether it is open tender or
restricted tender. We make sure that the government makes purchases at
reasonable prices. We are more careful in terms of government
procurement.
Question: Datuk Seri, there have been accusations that you have
not been doing enough for the Bumiputeras. And, then, you introduced
the Bumiputera empowerment policy. What's the development?
Answer: It is progressing well. We introduced various programmes for
Bumiputeras. We established the Bumiputera Economic Empowerment Council,
which meets monthly. We are implementing the measures mentioned in my
speech (at the launch of the Bumiputera Economic Empowerment Council) in
Shah Alam last year. For example, we have increased by RM500 million
the allocation for the Mara education aid. We launched the Superb Scheme
(Bumiputera New Entrepreneurs Starting Scheme) and the first batch was
awarded government assistance. We launched the Amanah Saham Bumiputera 2
. We have fulfilled all our pledges.
Question: Does the government have an alternative if the GST is
not implemented -- an alternative that can raise the national revenue
and capability?
Answer: The GST had been given much thought, not only during my
administration but long before that. Some 160 countries have implemented
the GST. That being the case, the GST seems to be the choice of most
countries to other systems. This means that the GST is the most
transparent and progressive system that gives a country added revenue.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Question: Much was achieved during the recent visit of United
States President Barack Obama to Malaysia. I hear that soon you will be
going to China. In the international political constellation, Malaysia
is seen to be favoured by the two superpowers. There is much to benefit
from, but many say Malaysia seems to be controlled by these major
powers.
Answer: No. As a nation, we have our principles; our foreign policy is
based on principles. Our principle is to have cordial relations with all
countries based on what we think fit. We are not a lackey (of any major
power), we have never been. We have our own independent stand.
For example, on the question of the rights of the Palestinians, we have
continued to champion the people of Palestine. I conveyed this to
President Obama. He knows our stand. In this case, we do not compromise
on our fight for the justice and rights of the people of Palestine. We
carry on (with what we have been doing). But, this does not mean that we
cannot have a strategic relationship with the United States.
Question: Does Malaysia maintain its stand as to the TPPA (Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement)?
Answer: We must realise that Malaysia is a significant trading nation.
Our total trade is 167 per cent of our gross domestic product, placing
us among the biggest trading nations of the world.
If we are a part of the free trade regime, it will benefit our country.
We get access to markets. Potential investors will see Malaysia's
advantages because they prefer to invest in countries that have wide
access to markets.
Malaysia's exports will be free of tariffs or subjected to low tariffs,
so we have an advantage. Right now, 12 countries are engaged in the
TPPA (negotiations). The number may rise to 20.
What are the implications if Malaysia were to stay out of the TPPA?
There is definitely a cost. We do not see the cost today, which is why
we have to evaluate our overall preparation pertaining to the TPPA.
Besides, we must also make sure that we do not sign anything that can
undermine our interests.
I am not saying that we can gain in all areas. So long as our benefits
outweigh the sacrifices that we may have to make, it will be good for
us.
Question: Finally, I want to ask Datuk Seri to convey to the people via this Bernama programme what you expect of them.
Answer: I hope they will give us, meaning the government that has the
mandate from the people, an opportunity. We have a five-year mandate.
The people must give the government a chance to govern the country
without raising too many problems. Bernama
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