FULFIL PROMISES BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE - PM

By Tham Choy Lin

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 14 (Bernama)-- Prime Minister Najib Razak has reminded
component parties of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) to fulfil their promises
in carrying out changes to strengthen the coalition.

Najib, who is also the BN chairman, said component parties that were facing
a leadership crisis must tackle the problem before it was too late to face the
coming general election.

"The opportunity is there, and there is still time, but don't delay efforts
in resolving the internal problems until the eve of the general election. By
that time, it's too late for us to take action," said Najib in an exclusive
interview with Bernama at his office in conjunction with the United Malays
National Organisation (Umno) general assembly.

Najib wanted to see that all the BN component parties were stable and strong
so that they could contribute to the success of the BN.

Any problem, particularly a serious leadership crisis, could have an impact
on the public perception on the BN although it was confined to one component
party, he said.

"That's why I have suggested that they should try to resolve the crisis in
their respective parties as soon as possible," he said.

Najib said that as the BN chairman, he always welcomed any party to give
their views or advice.

Asked what were the fundamental changes that should be carried out by the
component parties, he said: "They must undertake changes. That's what they have
promised."

Although there were signs that the process of change was taking place, the
Prime Minister said it was still at the 'work in progress' stage and had not
reached the stage of firmness.

"The process has not reached the stage where we can consider it to be
completed. So, what they have pledged, they must proceed with it. As I had once
said at one function, what is the point of holding a position in the party if we
don't get the support of the people," he said.

Asked whether the component parties concerned should be given a time frame
to carry out the changes, Najib replied: "Well, they should know".

The Prime Minister said although in principle the power-sharing formula in
the BN would be continued, the BN must put forward winnable candidates during
the general election.

Asked whether the quota on candidates contesting in the general election
would be changed if there were component parties that had yet not carried out
the necessary changes, Najib said the matter had to be discussed beforehand.

"That's my responsibility as the chairman of Barisan Nasional. I still
respect the power-sharing process in the Barisan Nasional. At the same time, we
must carry out a realistic evaluation of our own capability.

"Because what is important is that we don't sacrifice any seat. We must
field winnable candidates. So, if he or she wants to win, he/she must work from
now," he said.

The BN had the task of regaining public confidence in the government to
secure a decisive win in the coming general election compared with the result of
the last general election in 2008.

Najib did not rule out the possibility that with the 1Malaysia concept, the
BN would one day become one party without the components such as Umno, Malaysian
Chinese Association (MCA) or the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), but he pointed
out that it was not the time yet.

"Anything can happen but the rakyat and community must be prepared. You
cannot go too far ahead of the times but you must prepare the mind of the
people.

"If the people are ready to accept, any eventuality can happen but the time
is not now. Look at the future trend," he added.
-- BERNAMA