SERDANG – Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) track record in its short 17-month stint in federal power transcends even that of the 60 years under Barisan Nasional (BN), according to a cabinet member.
Senior Education Minister and Bersatu vice-president Datuk Radzi Jidin said had the coalition been accorded a full parliamentary term to serve the public, the impact on the country would have been much greater.
Speaking at PN’s convention, the senator cited PN’s efforts to resolve issues plaguing residents in East Malaysia as well as Felda settlers as testaments to his claim, despite being the youngest registered political coalition in the country.
“In less than two years, our track record and impact to the rakyat is very clear. Our friends in Sabah and Sarawak talk about how, in this short period, various benefits that they have waited for tens of years only reached them (under PN).
“At the time, Sabah and Sarawak were considered a BN fixed deposit. But under PN, they are together with us as partners in ensuring Malaysia continues to develop.
“Another example is the issue of Felda settlers’ debts, which have persisted for years. After decades, (we) settled and waived RM8.3 billion worth of debts.
“These impacts were made in just one year and five months when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was prime minister.
“Imagine giving us a full term. God willing, we can see a much better impact on the rakyat.”
PN came into power in March 2020 following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, but only lasted for 17 months after Muhyiddin stepped down as prime minister in August last year following a loss of majority support.
Radzi said apart from the rakyat, the majority of civil servants were also supposedly more receptive to working under PN compared to PH and Barisan Nasional (BN).
“You can ask them which government was closer to them, truly understood their work, and respected their responsibility. We don’t force them to do things that could later force them to answer in court,” he said.
Radzi was ostensibly referring to the BN administration under Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s leadership, which was embroiled in multiple allegations of corruption and abuse of power. – The Vibes, August 27, 2022
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