People's Needs, Priorities Come First Than Party's, Says Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- The government will always give importance to the people's problems and interests, particularly to meet the needs of the low-income earners, by initiating programmes to ease their burden, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Monday night.
The prime minister said though the Barisan Nasional (BN) was facing various setbacks, the coalition would ensure the people's agenda was accorded priority over everything else.
"Serious attention will be given to the masses' woes. The BN is still the federal government and is governing the nation from the mandate given by the people. Issues concerning the people will be given prompt attention," he told a press conference after chairing a meeting of the supreme council, Umno's powerful decision-making body.
Abdullah said the government viewed the fuel price hike issue seriously as it could lead to an increase in prices of consumer goods and other problems that might surface due to global food shortage.
In this regard, he said, the government would expedite measures to set up a food stockpile and the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry had drawn up a proposal paper to implement the national food security plan.
Abdullah said the proposal paper would be tabled in the Cabinet soon for perusal.
The prime minister also said the government would give attention to meet the housing needs of the low-income group by providing better and cheaper houses.
"Prices of foodstuff are increasing and this has taken a toll on the people's affordability to buy houses. It's not easy but there must be a new deal for the poor.
"The party cannot be selfish, thinking of its own interests merely, it must also take into account the people's problems and hardship.
"Besides focusing on efforts to strengthen and consolidate Umno, we cannot forget and ignore the agenda to help the people (tide over their problems)," he said.
Abdullah said the supreme council also discussed the shortage of non-Malays in the civil service and the council acknowledged the need to open the doors to them to fill the vacant posts in the service.
As to the weaknesses in Umno that had led to the party's dismal showing in the March 8 general election, Abdullah said the issue would be discussed in greater detail at the BN supreme council meeting Tuesday.
He said BN component party leaders would be given the opportunity to air their views on the matter not only during election time but also whenever the council met.
Apart from weaknesses, discussions would also centre on the needs of the younger set, he said.
He advised Umno leaders and members not to be too engrossed with the party elections in December.
"We must focus our energy to what should be given to the people as the party that has formed the government and has been mandated to govern the nation," he added.

tunku : serious suggestion, resign as umno president asap and let the acting president work day and night to reconcile the party while pak lah stay as the pm for sometimes untill the new umno president takes over from him. resign asap as umno president.