PM'S BOLD PRAGMATISM WARMS AND WINS HEARTS AND MINDS

By Alan Ting

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- When Prime Minister Najib Razak took
office in early April, there was some scepticism over his ability to quickly
bring the much-needed changes that Malaysians had clamoured for.

Even some independent polls claimed that he had entered office at the lowest
approval ratings of any incoming Malaysian Prime Minister.

But, some 100 days later, and after announcing a series of positive and
heart-warming reforms, Malaysians appear to be warming up towards the prime
minister as he is seen to have scored on the right policies and set the nation
on to the right direction.

For the past three months, Najib has shown that he is a practical-minded
person in dealing with a host of contentious issues and sticky situations in the
country.

Starting with the 1Malaysia concept, he struck the right chords by making
all Malaysians feel that there is a place under the sun for them in this
country.

He made them feel wanted and that they were not sidelined. Even among the
one-time sceptics, he even transformed their once narrow thinking, increasing
their sense of belonging to this multi-racial, multi-cultural and
multi-religious country.

In other words, he won more hearts and minds by setting the tone right in
promoting the spirit of "unity through diversity".

One of the first things he did besides espousing the spirit of 1Malaysia was
the release of 13 Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees, including two Hindraf
leaders, as well assuring a review of the ISA.

He also ordered the lifting of the suspension of two opposition political
party organs -- Harakah (PAS) and Suara Keadilan (Parti Keadilan Rakyat).

Najib later ordered the release of 13 more ISA detainees, including three
other Hindraf leaders.

Since 2004, some 100 individuals have been detained under the ISA for
forging documents (29), duplicating RM1 coins (17) and being involved in illegal
and subversive groups like Hindraf (five), Darul Islam (17), Jemaah Islamiah
(18) and Malaysian Militant Group (one).

Others were also cases of producing writings that insulted Islam (one),
smuggling of illegal immigrants (one), acting as foreign intelligence agents
(seven), southern Thai separatist movement (three) and nuclear component
supplier (one).

Late last month, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said only 12 Internal
Security Act (ISA) detainees were now left at the Kamunting, comprising six
Malaysians and six foreigners.

The Home Ministry is scheduled to table a revision of the ISA and other acts
under the purview of the ministry in the next parliamentary meeting in October.

Najib's style of direct engagement saw him meeting former Hindu Rights
Action Force (Hindraf) national coordinator RS Thanenthiran two weeks after
taking office to talk about the Indian Malaysian community's problems.

Later, Najib moved to deal with the most sensitive and long standing issue
relating to religious conversions.

It was proposed at one of the Cabinet meetings in April that the children of
a divorced couple, should one of the spouses later convert to Islam, would still
be raised in accordance with the common religion at the time of the marriage.

Although the Council of Rulers recently referred the matter to the state
religious councils for their inputs before coming to a decision, it was still a
courageous move by Najib to find a practical and long term solution to the
highly sensitive issue.

Najib also walked the talk through his many walk-abouts with the rakyat.
It was during these walk-abouts that he endeared himself to the people as he
enquired about their problems, challenges and aspirations.

He chose high traffic areas like "Chinatown" in Jalan Petaling, "Little
India" in Brickfields, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Masjid India in
downtown Kuala Lumpur, Pasar Kraf Kota Kinabalu, Kampung Bintawa in Kuching and
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Shah Alam for his "meet-the-people"
sessions.

His most recent was a whirlwind tour to Sibu to officiate at the 26th
National Chinese Cultural Festival where he made an unexpected visit to the
"pasar malam" (night market) where he mingled with traders and shoppers of
various races and religions.

Even in his opening address at the festival, Najib, true to the spirit of
1Malaysia, used several Mandarin words where he stressed on the importance of
1Malaysia in enhancing racial harmony among Malaysians.

Najib also took the opportunity to commend the traders at the Sibu pasar
malam for having already practised the 1Malaysia concept for more than 30 years.

As pointed out by the principal research fellow at the Institute of Ethnic
Studies in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Dr Denison Jayasooria, Najib had
started with good public policies and had set the priorities right on the
economic front.

But for the next 100 days and more, he said it would be more critical for
Najib as the euphoria of first 100 days would put a heavy burden on him as
public expectations will continue to be raised.

He opined that Najib should move on to next phase to address other issues
that required more time to resolve like the issue of land belonging to
indigenious peoples and the question of democratic values.
-- BERNAMA