Bashah not bothered by personal attacks

ALOR STAR: "I'll not entertain any accusations or personal attacks. It's not my job to respond to allegations. They can say whatever, slander me, I don't care. What is important is to plan Kedah's progress.
"Let them, as long as they do not disturb me from discharging my duties as Menteri Besar, the State UMNO Liaison chairman, State BN chairman and in facing GE14 (14th general election)," said Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah on the various allegations made against him since he was appointed to the post two years ago.
He said the allegations made against him by the opposition were not true, but only intended to confuse the people.
"The people have to see, and then listen, only then evaluate. The opposition attempts to confuse the people with the various allegations, not only on issues regarding the state but federal issues also, " he told Bernama in an interview.
Ahmad Bashah, who is Bakar Bata assemblyman was sworn-in as Kedah Menteri Besar on Feb 4, 2016, after Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir resigned from the post after losing majority support in the State Assembly.
Ahmad Bashah said the state government's focus was only on the people because of the bitter experience faced by Kedah UMNO and BN in the 2008 general election when they lost the state to the opposition and did not want it to happen again.
"I have reminded UMNO and BN leaders in the state a few times that in the 2008 general election, we lost, we were defeated and how it felt to be the opposition in Kedah. So, don't make a repeat of what is a loss for us and creates a problem for the people," he said.
He said after BN came back to power in Kedah in 2013, the people had high hopes for BN.
"Do not deny what we have done for the people, but there are quarters trying to confuse the people, saying that we have done nothing.
"I want to tell them, there are projects that have taken off, there are some which have been planned and implemented. We want the people to once again give us the mandate (in GE14)," he said.
He said after assuming the post of Menteri Besar, he introduced the concept "Muafakat (Consensus) Kedah" as a platform for Kedah's progress and development.
"If all the people work together when there is a consensus, all plans and what we hope for can happen and can be implemented. That is why we need consensus in whatever context.
"Before, we can relocate a house by carrying it together because there is the concept of working together. Hence, if we want to succeed, working together is crucial, and then trust and confidence from the people," he said.
Ahmad Bashah said among efforts made by the state government to help the poor to cope with the rising cost of living was the introduction of the Kedah People's Aid (Barakah).
"We introduce the programme for the people. Barakah is for all the needy in Kedah. If they want to do business, they can also get a business loan under Barakah, whatever their needs, school bags, bicycles, and spectacles, where we have given to 150,000 senior citizens.
"We don't care which political party they are affiliated with, and I have instructed the Village Development and Security Committee to not be selective. Whoever needs help, whether are Malay, Chinese, Indian, non-Malay, they should be assisted," he said.
Barakah was launched two months after Ahmad Bashah took over as Menteri Besar. — Bernama