S'wak MPs first in line for one-on-one with Najib
The unprecedented meet between Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and each of the 137 BN members of parliament today went into full swing this morning.
The unprecedented meet between Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and each of the 137 BN members of parliament today went into full swing this morning.
Kicking off the full-day meet were the 29 Sarawak MPs, who were seen trailing the premier as they made their way into the Perdana Suite of the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) for breakfast at 9.20am.
Several of the MPs were spotted filling up forms, presumably an analysis of the previous general election results in their respective constituencies, before the meeting.
Santubong MP Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar - also the deputy speaker in the Dewan Rakyat - said confidently that he needn't fill in the form.
"I have every single figure memorised already," he told Malaysiakini.
Alor Gajah MP and former human resources minister Fong Chan Onn meanwhile spoke of the importance of the meet.
"This is the first time in my career that the PM has done this before a general election," said the four-term MP.
When met after her meeting with the premier, Batang Sadong MP Nancy Shukri said that Najib had indirectly asked about the upcoming Sarawak election that has to be held before July this year.
"He asked us what we thought are the high-impact projects that will help BN win. I told him that he has to look into the providing clean water and improving the roads.
"Since 2005, Sarawak has seen an increase of 25 percent in its population. But the water treatment plants are still in 2005 capacity.
"The roads also have potholes everywhere because of development (works)," she said.
She added though, that the issue of long-time Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud was not raised.
Most MPs tight-lipped
However, most of the other MPs were tight-lipped about what had transpired in their meetings with the PM.
"I just said 'hello', wished Najib 'happy new year'. There is nothing more for me to say," said Petra Jaya MP Fadillah Yusof.
Meanwhile, Stampin MP Yong Khoon Seng was more curt. "Just take my photo, I'll smile. No comment."
Next to meet Najib were the 22 BN MPs from Sabah, with Johor MPs after that.
Former prime minister and current Kepala Batas MP Abdullah Ahmad Badawi arrived at 2.55pm for his meeting with Najib.
When asked to comment, he said that the meeting is "good and a new approach".
Najib had yesterday confirmed that the preparations for the general elections will be the main agenda.
The meeting sees all 137 BN MPs holding one-to-one meetings with the premier.
They are given five minutes to inform Najib, who is the BN chairperson, about issues within their respective constituencies, election promises that have yet to be delivered and issues concerning the opposition parties.
Beginning of a project marathon?
Pulai MP Nur Jazlan Mohamad also shed light on the purpose of the meeting, saying that the PM was interested in knowing the developmental plans for each constituency.
"Of course, we already presented him the problems in written form, but our face-to-face meeting here is just to confirm it,” he said.
"(Najib) already knows in advance what our problems are."
Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar agreed that Najib already "knows the situation in the constituencies".
"We're here to give him our suggestions and what we think the priorities should be."
However, he said that the matter about his intention not to seek re-election in the next general election was not discussed.
The BN big
-hitters of the yesteryears also attended the meeting including Kuala Kangsar MP Rafidah Aziz, Tanjung Malim MP Ong Ka Chuan and Pandan MP Ong Tee Keat (photo, far right).
The meeting was also not below former prime minister Abdullah, who said, "I like it. I like the fact that the MPs can meet the PM directly."
