Selamat Hari Kebangsaan Malaysia

HAPPY 50TH MERDEKA CELEBRATION!

While Malaysians will be celebrating our 50th celebrations, there were rumours about racial clases, opposition parties dissatisfaction over the lame governmen's administration, errant bus drivers, Melaka pigs' rearing issue and the news go on.

PM: Rumours of racial clashes are lies, the star 29th Aug 07

KUALA LUMPUR:Rumours that racial clashes have occurred in Pasir Gudang, Johor, are “lies, lies and nothing more than lies,” said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The Prime Minister said the rumours were an attempt to create an uneasy atmosphere, incite anger and tension among the people.

“All these are lies made up by people who have nothing better to do,” he said after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting yesterday.

Abdullah, who is the Umno president, said such lies were slanderous and a big sin for Muslims.

“Allah curses people like that but these people can’t be bothered and do it anyway,” he added.

Yesterday and the day before, Johor was abuzz with rumours that racial fights had broken out in Pasir Gudang.

The police, too, had denied the rumours but some people still avoided going to the area.

To a question on people who raised racially sensitive issues, Abdullah said these people did not think about unity and the good of the country.

“They can give their views but just don’t cause chaos among our people and the country,” he said.

Abdullah said action would be taken on those who go overboard and cause tension among the racial groups.

With only three days to go to the 50th Merdeka celebration, the Prime Minister urged Malaysians to fly the flag and display their pride for the country.

“What’s wrong with spending RM2 or RM3 to buy a flag? This is a very important day for us, a day on which we should express our pride and gratitude for what we have achieved and enjoyed for over 50 years,” he said.

“I hope Malaysians will feel proud. There are other countries where there are internal fights and are poverty stricken. We do not experience such situations – perhaps only once on 13 May (1969).

“So show that you love the country and are grateful that the country is progressive, peaceful and safe. If you don’t get flags for free, buy them. If they are sold out, then make your own,” he said.

Abdullah said not everyone got everything that they wanted and acknowledged that there were still parts of the country which were still not so developed, where there were poor people.

He said the Government would continue to do its duty and bring development to these areas.

“We will continue to do what we have done for the past 50 years,” he added.