By Clara Chooi
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak told government pensioners today not to support him blindly but to judge him by his track record, adding that he did not want to entertain sycophants because the "bodek PM days" were now over.
The prime minister pointed out that government pensioners need not fear him now as they no longer served the government, and he could not offer them promotions or transfer them to cushy posts.
The only thing he could offer the group, Najib (picture) said, was higher pensions.
"So I do not want you to support me simply because you want to support me or because I am the prime minister so you want to put me on a pedestal.
"If you say you want to 'bodek' the PM, the 'zaman bodek PM' has ended," he thundered to a crowd of over 1,000 government pensioners at the launch of the 1 Malaysia Government Pensioners Club (KUPEKMAS) at the Putra World Trade Centre here.
Najib said support must only be given if pensioners feel that the present administration is deserving of such support and respect.
"Not because of anything else... not because you fear the PM. You don't need to be afraid, I cannot transfer you any more... you no longer need to fear me, but you respect me and that is why you support me," he said.
There are an estimated 400,000 government pensioners in the country and a 1.4-million strong civil service.
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