Present Govt Is Still Popular - Najib

BOSTON, May 7 (Bernama) -- The present Barisan Nasional government is still very popular and the recent victory in the Ijok by-election is an affirmation of this, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
The deputy prime minister said the BN could have succumbed to the temptation of Ijok being a Malay-majority seat and fielded an Umno candidate.
"That would have been the easiest option. But, no, we did not do that because we believe in the spirit of Barisan Nasional. We believe that is the way forward," he said at a dinner on Sunday with Malaysian delegates attending the BIO International Convention 2007, Malaysian students studying in Boston and nearby cities as well as Malaysians living in the United States.
In the April 28 Ijok state by-election, the BN candidate, K. Parthiban, defeated Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, garnering 5,884 votes against Khalid's 4,034 votes.
Najib said the government believed that all Malaysians of different religions could work together and collaborate for the betterment of the country.
"We (BN) share the responsibility of running the whole country together," he said.
"Malaysia, which will be celebrating its 50th independence this year, has a promising future. We believe in our vision and mission," said Najib.
He also advised Malaysian students in the United States to be more analytical and vigilant on information that they retrieve via the Internet as it might not necessarily be the truth.
"There is no way we can censor the Internet, nor do we want to censor the Internet as it gives the freedom of information. But it is how we judge between fact and fiction and not succumb to issues that exploit racial issues or attack leaders and make untruthful remarks against politicians and members of the government.
"So, you must always question whatever you read in the Internet, whether it is the truth or not. That will determine whether we are a knowledge society or otherwise. If we are capable of doing that (being vigilant) we may reach a certain level in the development of our society," he said.
Najib said that with positive development in the society the country would forge and look forward to a brighter and better future.
He told the students to make full use of their stay in the United States, especially in gaining knowledge in their fields of study.
During question time, Najib was asked how he wants Malaysians to remember him if he retires today.
"First of all, it is not timely. And I don't think that I'm due to retire and I don't wish to retire.
"As you know, the prime minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) himself has expressed confidence recently in my leadership. So, no reason for me to consider retiring and I will only answer your question when I'm ready to retire," he said.

tunku : this is why Tun Mahathir had said that it's good if we lose some seats, by winning all the time make the current leadership keep boasting.It's quite funny when someone asked him(Najib)how he wants Malaysians to remember him if he retires today.What is the motive, or the person had heard that najib won't be the deputy very soon? In politics you never knows what it will be in future.Let us hope for the best of our country.