'I Can Use More Sticks Than Carrots', Says Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- "I can use more sticks than carrots," said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi with a broad smile during a Q&A session at the Kuala Lumpur Business Club dinner here Thursday night.
He said this in reply to a question from a guest on whether "is it nice to be nice?" Abdullah, who is regarded by many as a "Mr Nice Guy", said that, as a person, "you have to be nice all the time but (being) tough is an attitude".
The prime minister said his philosophy was to remain nice despite being expected to be tough.
"Whether you want to be gentle or tough, (it) is your choice. If I need to be tough... or you need to be tough as a person, you can be tough but you can still be nice. That is my philosophy," he said.
Abdullah also spoke on the salary increase for civil servants effective July and reiterated that it was certainly not fair to treat the pay rise as an election freebie.
He said the government decided on the salary increase because it could afford to do so but there were those who called it an election ploy. However, the government did not even consider that as a reason, he added.
"It doesn't matter whether the election is going to be held in two weeks' time or two years' time. We have to do it (give the salary rise) at the time (that it) is best, and we have the money at this time, and the civil servants deserve that increase," he said.
Abdullah said civil servants should understand that the public would be watching them closely now that they were getting the salary increase.
"With the money (salary increase), now you can improve the public delivery system. We have to look into how to reduce procedures," he said.
Replying to another question, he said he would fulfill the promises made to the people in the last general election first and subsequently concentrate on "a lot of things that need to be delivered".
"I need to deliver a lot of things. All I need to do is to continue to do as well as I can with all the support and cooperation of so many people, the Cabinet, the civil service and also the GLCs who have worked hard," he said.

tunku : to say that the election factor is not one of the reason for salary increase is a white lie.all the GLCs have worked hard except for proton who is not working hard at all.before pak lah became the pm, i do believe he's mr clean,mr nice guy but after almost 4 years it's simply the opposite side.i guess after marriage pak lah should use stick more than carrot. he should use stick the right place,that is to make sure the progress of this country not the progress of the family.