MELAKA: Political parties may be at loggerheads because of their ideologies but when it comes to the nation's security, they should be united in fighting off the threats, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
This was what Malaysians should do to ensure the security and sovereignty of the country were not compromised, he said.
Najib said the people should follow countries such as the United States, where security issues were never exploited by political parties.
"This is unlike Malaysia, where the intrusion into Sabah has been politicized by the opposition to the extent that it claimed it was a sandiwara, or play, staged by Umno."
He said the opposition was exploiting the situation in Sabah for its own gains.
"How can this be a sandiwara? If this is indeed a sandiwara, do you think that we could find actors who were willing to sacrifice their lives for this act?
"I believe that no matter what the returns are, there is no one in the country who will volunteer to die for real just to stage the intrusion in Lahad Datu.
"If indeed the opposition's claims are true, do you even think members of the police and the armed forces would lay down their lives for real to make the play a success?
"The brave men who were killed while fighting the intruders did so because it was their duty to defend the country, not because they were actors in a made-up scenario."
Najib said this before officiating at the RM208 million Wisma Persekutuan at the Melaka International Trade Centre, in Ayer Keroh, here, yesterday.
Present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and the Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Ali Hamsa.
The 21-storey Wisma Persekutuan, which was completed in 2010, houses 24 federal government departments and agencies.
Clearly upset by the opposition's allegations, Najib said rather than prioritizing the need to work together to protect the nation's peace, the opposition exploited the situation for political mileage.
He said the government's priority was to maintain stability in areas affected by the terrorists' intrusion.
"Only when there is peace and stability will the country and its people prosper. And this is why we have to give the mandate to the government, which has proven itself in maintaining peace and stability."
He said with an economic growth of 6.4 per cent last year, which could be achieved only in a peaceful and stable nation, the country might even obtain developed nation status before 2020.
"This is why I am calling on everyone to come together and ensure a better future for the country and its people. And the future looks bright with the transformation programmes undertaken by the ruling coalition."
Earlier, he witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Yayasan Melaka and the 1Malaysia Housing Programme (PR1MA) at the Umno Building in Jalan Hang Tuah, here.
Yayasan Melaka was represented by its chairman, Ali, while PR1MA was represented by its chairman, Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis.
Under the agreement, PR1MA and Yayasan Melaka will develop 10,000 houses for middle-income Malaysians in Bukit Katil, Ayer Keroh and Bachang.
Najib had lunch with the public and traders when he opened the RM2.7 million Jalan Tun Ali Food Court.
In Putrajaya last night, Najib said Malaysians should not allow the Lahad Datu incident to disrupt their daily life as this was the most effective way to oppose those who were bent on threatening our security.
Speaking at the finals of the Semai Bakti Talent contest, he said the special needs community was considered a valuable national asset as they could expand their potential as independent individuals who could contribute to nation-building.
The contest, where the Prime Minister's Challenge Trophy is up for grabs, is organise by the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti).
Present were the prime minister's wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who is also Bakti president, ministers, chief ministers, menteris besar and their wives.
By Jason Gerald John and Hanis Maketab / New Straits Times
http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/pm-parties-must-unite-to-fight-off-threats-1.232048?cache=03D163D03edding-pred-1.1176%252F%253FpFpentwa%253Fkey%253DKuala+Lumpur#ixzz2N6qtHTqz
