Ahmad Zahid denies M'sia in a state of uncertainty

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has denied that the country is in a state of uncertainty in its economy and politics.
"There are some claiming that Malaysia's economy and politics are unstable, that our society is breaking apart because we are from different religions and cultures.
"They are saying Malaysian society is facing disintegration. All these allegations are wrong," he said when opening Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party's 8th general assembly here today.
Present were Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party president Datuk R. S. Thanenthiran.
With Malaysia's economy growing at 4.1% in the first half of this year, Ahmad Zahid said it proved that the national economy was more stable than that of its neighbouring countries.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, stressed that this growth was despite the constraints of falling prices of oil and gas, which were not only experienced by Malaysia but other countries.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak was trying his best to improve the prosperity of the country.
On allegations that the country's economic situation was better during the administration of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Ahmad Zahid said the former prime minister was fortunate, as during his days, the prices of oil and commodities were great.
"Now the situation is different. This is not the fault of the leadership ... there is volatility in the world market," he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid, in his speech, urged the Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party members to work together with Indian parties in the BN to continue to fight for the Indian community.
Stressing that only BN could safeguard the welfare of the Indian community in this country, Ahmad Zahid this could be seen under the administration of Najib where the community was given special attention via the giving an example Indian Community Development Plan which included the Special Secretariat for Empowerment of Indian Entrepreneurs (SEED).
"Currently, the government through SEED has successfully assisted 27,909 Indian entrepreneurs with RM1.1 billion since it was established in 2012," he said.
Meantime, Ahmad Zahid also urged the party to register at least 7,000 new Indian voters among Indian youth for the next general election.
He also wanted to see the party cooperate with other BN component parties to ensure that 90% of Indian voters supported the BN.
At a press conference after the meeting, Ahmad Zahid, commenting on the action of two Johor Umno leaders who quit the party to join newly-formed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PBBM), said he welcomed their decision.
"I think it is better that Baharom (Gelang Patah Umno permanent chairman, Datuk Baharom Abdul Ghani) and Jarvanti (Kulai Umno deputy chief, Datuk Tosrin Jarvanti) be with PBBM rather than be a thorn in Umno," he said.
Both of them announced their resignation from Umno during their respective division delegates meeting on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid in his Aidiladha message called on Muslims in Malaysia and around the world to confront the constraints, problems and challenges they faced with full determination.
Citing the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his own son Prophet Ismail on the command of Allah, Ahmad Zahid said Muslims should take lessons from the incident, and be prepared to sacrifice for the sake of their religion.
"May all the sacrifices we make for our religion be for the sake of empowering and strengthening it, and not to undermine it," he said in the video recording on his YouTube page.
Ahamd Zahid also reminded all Muslims to stop differentiating among themselves, and sacrifice to ensure the sanctity of the religion was maintained at all times.
He also took the opportunity to wish "Selamat Aidiladha" to all Muslims, especially the pilgrims who are performing the Haj in Mecca. — Bernama