Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin having his blood pressure checked after launching the 1Malaysia Clinic at the Muhibbah flats in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. With him is Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik. Pic by Effendy Rashid
KUALA LUMPUR: A GOVERNMENT would only be able to function if it has a united stand on policies, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday.
He said the Barisan Nasional government had proven its solidarity in developing this nation and improving the livelihood of its people.
"As a government, we (BN) have same views, very clear direction and built this country on a united foundation.
"Unlike the opposition, they don't have the element of 'muhibbah' (good will). In fact, they have conflicting ideologies," he said during his visit to the government's low-cost housing project (PPR) Muhibbah flats yesterday.
Muhyiddin said the BN government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had a proven track record of its abilities to serve the people well.
"We have shown to the people that we are able to make changes. In this respect, a new wave has swept across the nation as more people are aware of our capability."
Instead, Muhyiddin said, the opposition would be a "big question mark" that could threaten the nation's progress to achieve developed-nation status by 2020.
"We have rolled out so many programmes under the various transformation programmes that promise leap and bound changes."
In this respect, Muhyiddin said voters had to be wise in choosing their leaders.
"Sure, some may find it boring to choose the same leaders from the same political parties. But, tried and tested leaders are still needed to lead this nation to be a developed country."
Muhyiddin also announced RM1.6 million allocation to boost public facilities for more than 10,000 people staying at the Muhibbah flats -- to build a surau, hawker area and a multipurpose hall.
On another matter, Muhyiddin slammed the opposition's plan to abolish the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) as "unrealistic and politically-motivated".
He said the opposition's proposal to provide free education did not take into account the RM43 billion needed to implement it.
"Where will they get the funding? RM43 billion isn't going to appear magically," he said, during a meet-and-greet session with non-governmental organisations here.
The government, he said, had worked hard to allocate billions of ringgit towards the fund, which had given financial aid to about one million students so far.
He likened the issue to the opposition's promise to provide free water to the people, only to leave water concessionaire Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) some RM1 billion in debt, when the plan was implemented in Selangor.
"This is not about votes. These are important issues that we (the government) are not prepared to sacrifice solely for political gain."
Later, speaking to reporters, Muhyiddin Yassin said Pas' call to its leaders and potential candidates to postpone their haj pilgrimage because of the next general election was illogical.
Muhyiddin said fulfilling the haj pilgrimage was a religious obligation which had nothing to do with politics.
"Performing the haj should be done in accordance with an individuals own religious fervour and observance," he said after a meet the people session at Bandar Sungai Besi here yesterday. Additional reporting by R. Sittamparam
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