Najib: Do not doubt Abdullah’s fairness
New Straits Times - Jan 22, 2006

People who are not happy about issues concerning race and religion should not doubt the Prime Minister’s ability to come out with a fair solution for all.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today stressed that the country’s leadership always had the people’s interests in mind in making any decision.

"Our Prime Minister is the Prime Minister to everyone, irrespective of race or religion," Najib said of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. 

"We should place our trust in him to make correct and just decisions."

Najib, speaking after visiting an Orang Asli settlement at Kampung Tahan, near here, was responding to questions on the conflicting stand within Umno and among the Barisan Nasional coalition parties regarding the jurisdiction of the Syariah and civil courts. 

The issue had prompted nine non-Muslim ministers to issue a memorandum to Abdullah calling, among other things, for an amendment to Article 121 (1A) of the Constitution which governs the courts’ jurisdiction. 

Najib said the ministers had most likely sent the memorandum in good faith but there could be negative perceptions over their action. 

He said they should have voiced their grievances during Cabinet meetings. 

"If a group prepared a memorandum and it was made known to the public that could be perceived as a pressure on the Prime Minister or a sign that there was a lack of confidence in him." 

Source: New Straits Times | www.nst.com.my