Utusan defends Najib’s Hawaiian golf trip
Umno mouthpiece Utusan Malaysia today unsurprisingly sprang to the defence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his golf trip to Hawaii at a time when Malaysia is grappling with the worst floods in decades.
The Malay daily noted the widespread criticism levelled at Najib from various quarters for being absent while the country struggled with floods in several states.
It reported that opposition leaders were happy when American newspaper The Washington Post published a picture of Najib playing golf with President Barack Obama.
"Without first checking what was happening, these quarters which have political sentiments embedded in their minds are spreading baseless allegations and lies," the paper said.
"The worst allegation levelled against Najib was that he was insensitive to the plight of Malaysians by playing golf abroad while the country struggled with floods."
Utusan Malaysia said opposition leaders should have been mature in their thinking by looking at the big picture of why Najib had flown thousands of kilometres to Hawaii.
"Najib did not just go to Hawaii to play golf with Obama, he was in the United States at the personal invitation of Obama," it said.
He was there to discuss regional and global security issues, among other topics, Utusan Malaysia reported, adding that Obama's invitation should be regarded as an acknowledgement.
"It is uncommon for Obama to mix business and pleasure, hence the invitation extended to Najib by the United States is an honour."
The Washington Post reported on Thursday that Najib, who was on a private trip to Hawaii, was a surprise visitor at the Marine Corps base course in Kanehoe Bay, joining aides Joe Paulsen and Mike Brush in a round of golf with Obama.
Utusan Malaysia, however, said the meeting between Obama and Najib was an important milestone to increase diplomatic ties between both countries.
"It is not easy to win the acknowledgement and confidence of a superpower like the US, especially as certain opposition leaders are smearing Malaysia's reputation in Washington."
It said Obama's invitation had been extended to Najib at a time when Malaysia had yet to be hit by flooding.
"Najib has been following the development regarding the flood situation in Malaysia. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is ensuring everything is proceeding smoothly."
Hence, the paper said, opposition figures should not be narrow-minded and look for political mileage by spinning and twisting the facts.
The paper said since Najib announced that he was returning to Malaysia and would visit the flood victims in Kelantan, the opposition figures would not praise him.
"That is the problem with the opposition, nothing is ever right in their opinion. All they do is constantly criticise Putrajaya.”
More than 132,000 people have been displaced since the heavy rains began in the east coast with eight states affected thus far. – December 27, 2014.
