KUALA TERENGGANU, 14 Jan 2009: The government does not discriminate against any community in Terengganu because all communities are accorded equal treatment, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.
The deputy prime minister said the giving of compassionate aid was an example of clear proof that the government never neglected any community, and no community was deprived of this financial assistance.
“The government does not discriminate among the Malays, Chinese and Indians. The poor from every community benefits.
“Cash gifts for Hari Raya, Chinese New Year … much more aid is given by us,” he told reporters after opening a seminar on environmental awareness for Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) traders at Wisma Darul Iman, here.
Najib’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and AIM chairman Datuk Amir Hamzah Ahmad were also present at the event.
Najib said that besides the compassionate aid, the Barisan Nasional (BN) government also considered the interests of the minority communities by giving an opportunity to a Chinese to be an elected representative in one of the four state constituencies within the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary constituency.
The state assemblyperson for the Bandar state seat is Toh Chin Yaw of the MCA. He is a Terengganu state executive councillor.
“PAS has never given the Chinese community the opportunity to have an elected representative in Terengganu. In many aspects, we have given more consideration for minority communities in Terengganu,” Najib said.
The deputy prime minister said he hoped that the people of Kuala Terengganu would support the BN because the coalition had done a lot for the country in various aspects.
“What we are enjoying now are the fruits of the BN struggle. We have also taken into account the aspirations of the electorate so that policies are balanced.
“Let’s not forget that many needy people have to be given consideration by the government. Not only the successful require aid but the less successful also need assistance,” he said.
Najib also said that the government did not coerce its employees to support the BN in the Kuala Terengganu by-election on 17 Jan.
“They are free to vote in accordance with their wish,” he said.
On a claim by the opposition that the National Registration Department was in cahoots with the Elections Commission to create phantom voters, Najib dismissed it as a lie.
“There is no such thing. When the opposition parties win, they remain silent. This is a tactic of the opposition,” he said. — Bernama
