KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (Bernama) -- It is not wrong for the "Janji ditepati"
(Promises fulfilled) slogan to be used as the theme for the country''s 55th
Independence anniversary celebration as it reflects the government''s commitment
to honouring its promises made to the people, says Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
The Information, Communications and Culture minister said the prime minister
through the 1Malaysia concept, for instance, had fulfilled his promises through
the transformation processes such as the National Key Result Areas and National
Key Economic Areas.
He said Najib had kept to the 1Malaysia concept by translating it into such
efforts as giving out of book vouchers and other forms of aid like the Bantuan
Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) and 1Malaysia milk, and setting up of Kedai Rakyat
1Malaysia and 1Malaysia textile shops for the benefit of all levels of society,
including opposition supporters.
"When we''ve done something good, it means we''ve fulfilled our commitment,
we''ve done it, so it''s not wrong to say so," he said when asked on the rationale
of using the "Janji ditepati" theme for this year''s Merdeka Day celebration
following some quarters deeming it as a political campaign.
"55 Years of Independence, Promises Fulfilled" has been chosen as the theme
for the celebration this time.
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RAIS-MERDEKA 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
Rais, who was met after attending the presentation of Excellent Service
Awards (APC) for the ministry''s employees here today, said based on the
country''s democratic system, the government should compete in giving the best to
the people, and it was the same for the opposition.
"So, if the opposition feels that the theme sounds like an election
campaign, I think it''s not wrong either.
"And the oppostion can say they''ve done this and that, and this is their
promise....this is also not wrong. The only thing is that the opposition must
not lie to the people.
"If there''s something wrong or imperfect that we''re (government) done, the
opposition can so so and we will rectify or improve through the system," he
said.
At the APC function, 1,018 employees from the ministry''s departments and
agencies each received a certificate and cheque for RM1,000.
One of the recipients, photographer Mahayudin Mohamad from the Malaysian
National News Agency (Bernama) said he was grateful to receive the award, which
also showed that the system had improved with the selection being fairer as more
employees from the lower ranks received the award.
Fauziah Hussein from the agency''s Corporate Communications Unit, who
received the award for the fifth time, said this would only motivate her to work
harder to perform even better and give a better image of government
administration.
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