Give Pak Lah enough time to realise vision, says Dr M
BY SA’ODAH ELIAS ( TheStar on December 22nd 2003 )
PUTRAJAYA: Give enough time for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to realise his own vision and plans for the country, his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad tells Malaysians.
“In my 22-year tenure as Prime Minister, I am very thankful for the unstinting support of all civil servants, my former colleagues in the Cabinet and leaders of Barisan Nasional component parties.
“What little success I had achieved for the country was due to this and the fact that I had adequate time to carry out whatever I had envisioned for Malaysia,” he said at the official farewell dinner for him and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, at the Putrajaya Convention Centre here last night.
The function was graced by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail and the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid.
Tribute to Dr Mahathir: Tne Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong at the dinner hosted by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for Tun Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah.
Dr Mahathir said the civil servants in the country had always maintained a very high level of professionalism, by showing their commitment, support and loyalty to the government and leadership of the day, irrespective of their political beliefs and affiliations.
”Even when they don’t agree with the government over certain decisions, they don’t go the length that can disrupt the smooth administration of the country,” he added.
In his speech, Abdullah acknowledged the former Prime Minister as “the Father of Modern Malaysia”.
Thanking Dr Mahathir on behalf of the Government, Abdullah said the label fits, as proven by the changes experienced by the country under his leadership.
He said the best way to preserve Dr Mahathir’s legacy was to ensure that his efforts and sacrifices have not been in vain, by managing the success properly for the sake of future generations.
“In the international arena, Dr Mahathir had shown us that being a developing nation does not mean that we have to be marginalised or that we cannot conduct ourselves with pride and dignity.
“The challenge faced by his successors, starting with myself, is to consolidate the gains and great leaps that we have taken as a nation under his leadership,” Abdullah said.
Comments;
We as Malaysian are currently facing economic prosperity. The good times.
How will this change in the years to come with the new leadership of Abdullah Badawi?
Malaysians are buying luxury goods just as they are buying daily necessities. We see many families whom are rich and powerful determining what is right and what is wrong.
When will the people of Malaysia have the say in this?
I have seen many ill-treated Malaysians. It is not a pretty sight. My heart is always with the less fortunate. The gap that persists in today's society is very visible, at least to me.
Unity.
A new year a head.
New resolutions.
A Great Nation.
ZARIQUE.
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