PRESENT POINT POWER

PM goodies for the Chinese Farming Communities to Support BN; 15 Year Land leases to Toil the Land; DPM wooed the Kelantan Chinese to dislodge PAS & promised no Witch hunt for State officials serving under PAS

After the Indians have got their promised "goodies" on a Sunday gathering, it is the turn for the Chinese Community. Bearing in mind, election is around the corner and winning the “hearts and mind” of the people is a sure way of getting the votes. And this is exactly what PM Abdullah is doing. The MCA President has cried out that for a long time, the Chinese farming community has been “unhappy and dissatisfied” over the yearly renewal of their TOL to toil the land to earn a living.
And only around election time, their wishes can be fulfilled when land leases are dished out in return for BN support. If this is not indirect buying of votes then what is it? The opposition should get the messages over that they can accept the leases which have been denied them by the Government and by voting the opposition, they might “get more” in the future. Surely there would not be any witch hunt as even the Kelantan state government officials have been assured of this by the DPM Najib if ever BN captured back the Kelantan State.

Apart from the Chinese voters, the DPM has also indirectly used the coming election to “get some concrete” votes when he handed out checks (ABOVE) of RM500 each for the flood victims (up to Five feet) in the recent floods in Kelantan. Very soon above 5 feet, they can get RM700. So this is the BN “welfare state” as practiced and PAS can only propose it.

February 10, 2008 00:01 AM

BN Will Continue To Protect Rights Of All Races, Says Najib

KOTA BAHARU, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- The rights of all races in the country including the Chinese community will continue to remain a top priority of the Barisan Nasional (BN) and this is why the existing government must be retained in the upcoming general election, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. He said all promises made by the BN to the various communities would be fulfilled so that everyone participated in the nation's progress.

"That is why the right choice for the Chinese community in the coming election is the BN," he said at the Kelantan-level Chinese New Year open house held at Dataran Lembah Sireh here tonight. Also present were Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin and Kelantan BN chief Datuk Seri Annuar Musa. More than 10,000 people from the various communities attended the open house, which also featured performances by popular local artistes like Mawi and Zahid. Najib said the BN government would also continue to ensure three matters close to the hearts of the Chinese, namely a conducive business environment, education and Chinese schools and preservation of their culture, would be assured.

"Only the BN can assure this, not other parties," he said. He also asked the Chinese community in Kelantan to help the BN throw out the PAS government in the coming election as the opposition party had denied them their rights in the 18 years it had been on power in the state.

"The various races in Kelantan must make a change this time (vote out PAS). Don't make a mistake again as your future is at stake," Najib said. At the function, he also handed over a cheque for RM1.5 million to assist 17 Chinese schools in Kelantan.

But for the PM to declare “the BN government functions on the basis of” consultation and consensus” would be far from correct. If that is the case, the surely the inputs from the BN component parties should have been consulted with regards to the “appropriate time” for a General Election.
And over in Kelantan, the DPM Najib has been selling the idea that BN is the only savior for the Chinese there and they were urged to kick out the PAS stste government,

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February 09, 2008 19:18 PM

BN Govt Can Easily Solve Problems Of Any Race, Says Abdullah

BIDOR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional (BN) government can easily solve problems of the multiracial populace of the country as the BN is a party for all races, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today. He said the government governing the nation was a multiracial coalition government that constantly worked to maintain racial harmony, peace, prosperity and safety of the people. "The BN government functions on the basis of consultation and consensus. This is a multiracial, united and collaborative coalition government," he said when addressing a farmers' gathering at Kampung Baru Coldstream, near here. Abdullah said the Cabinet comprising ministers representing diverse races discussed together problems that surfaced and planned ahead to transform Malaysia into a peaceful and prosperous nation. Abdullah, who is also BN chairman, said the BN government understood the aspirations of the various races who wanted to live in a peaceful and safe country.

At the event, the Prime Minister (ABOVE, under the watchful eyes of MB Tajol Rosli & MCA Boss Ong K T) handed offer letters for a 15-year land lease to 211 farmers from Kampung Baru Coldstream in place of the yearly renewal of land lease under the temporary occupation licence (TOL). They are among 931 Chinese farmers who were planting vegetables and fruits illegally on government land or under TOL in six areas in Perak. Abdullah said the farmers who received the land lease were a happy lot now that the problem they faced over the status of their farming land was now over. "This is an example of how the state and federal governments settle the people's problems. With the cooperation of BN component party leaders, the Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Mohamed Tajol Rosli Ghazali), (MCA president) Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and (Datuk) Ong Ka Chuan (MCA secretary-general) this problem has been solved amicably," he said.
ABOVE: PM and Ong hands on experience as "farmers" in harvesting some sweet potatoes; BELOW: Bouquets of fruits as souvenirs from the grateful farmers

The Prime Minister said farmers in Ulu Yam, Selangor, also faced similar problem before but was settled smoothly with the cooperation of BN leaders. Abdullah said the agriculture sector would continue to receive incentives and support from the government as it was a crucial sector producing food items for the people," he said. "Now, the farmers don't need to worry... 15 years, plus another 15 years, to plant vegetables, everybody is happy," added the Prime Minister to the applause of the audience. Earlier, Tajol Rosli, in his speech, said each of the farmers was offered about three hectares of land for a 15-year lease with an option to be renewed for another 15 years or 20 years plus another 20 years. Bidor, Chemor, Jelapang and Ipoh are the main vegetable-growing areas in Perak. A total of 1,379 lots, covering more than 2,000 hectares, have been allotted to the farmers. Earlier, Abdullah visited the vegetable farms and fruit orchards at Kampung Baru Coldstream.

= == == = = Yes, do it only near Election time!

008/02/09, NST Via Bernama
‘People will back us if we correct our mistakes’

Ahmad Badawi wants leaders of Barisan Nasional component parties to listen to the problems of the people and overcome weaknesses so as to get popular support. The prime minister said if responsive measures were taken, the people would continue to back the government and give their mandate to the coalition to continue to lead the country. “Please listen to their woes and correct our mistakes. If we succeed in doing so, the people will support us,”he said at the Chinese New Year gathering organised by the Penang Gerakan and MCA here yesterday. Abdullah, who is the BN chairman, said since the BN came to power, the coalition had succeeded in bringing change and progress to the country. “We are not a government that has failed. We are also not a party that has failed. We have succeeded in bringing development to the country, which has a plural society that has various religions and cultures.

” The prime minister conceded that in administering a multiracial country, the BN faced numerous problems. “I don’t deny that we have problems. “Yes, we have to face challenges but we can overcome them,” he said. Abdullah told the BN component parties to continue to co-operate in resolving problems based on its power-sharing formula. “The most important thing that the people desire is to see that solidarity and the spirit of close cooperation between the various races are maintained if the BN government remains in power. “It doesn’t matter whether it is the MIC, People’s Progressive Party or the other component parties. All must co-operate for the success of the BN for we could also fail if we make no effort to correct our weaknesses. ”

He said after 50 years of independence, it was not the time to concede defeat and stop developing the country. On the contrary, the government was committed to adding value to what had already been achieved for the success of the next 50 years.

Also at the function were Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and wife Toh Puan Majimor Shariff, Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Transport Minister and MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy and Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop. —Bernama

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