“But I’m not
ready to go just because my detractors want me to,” says Dato’ Sri DiRaja Adnan
in a brief interview with the NST
This photo is taken during the Menteri Besar's unscheduled visit to the NSTP booth at the 2nd Level, Putra World Trade Center (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur on Friday evening, November 28.
NOTA
EDITOR;
Berikut
disiarkan sepenuhnya transkrip soal-jawab pada wawancara khas antara Menteri
Besar Dato’ Sri DiRaja Adnan Yaakob (DSDRAY) yang juga Pengerusi, Badan
Perhubungan UMNO Negeri Pahang, dengan wartawan kanan akhbar New Straits Times
(NST), Encik M.Hamzah Jamaluddin bersempena dengan Perhimpunan Agung UMNO ke-68
bermula Khamis, 27 November dan berakhir Sabtu, 29 November.
Kandungan
wawancara khas ini disiarkan sepenuhnya dalam akhbar berkenaan keluaran Sabtu, 29
November pada halaman 9.
NST
: The opposition has won more seats in the last General Election (GE)
especially in constituencies with a sizeable Chinese voters. How will UMNO play
its role to help Barisan Nasional (BN) wrest back the seats in the next GE?
DSDRAY: The State Barisan Nasional (BN) accepted
the choice and verdict of the voters in the 2013 General Election. The BN State
Government will continue to look after the affairs and interests of all the
people in all areas regardless of the party they chose in the General Election.
UMNO is a
Bumiputera and Malay-based party. But the State UMNO will look after the
interest of all the people. UMNO Pahang is for all ethnic groups. We’ll try to
be fair to all.
Non Party
members of all races will not be left behind. If they come to UMNO for
assistance of any form, we’ll try to help and facilitate. This is not mere
rhetoric. Records will indicate that State UMNO leaders at all levels have
rendered assistance to people of all races.
All UMNO
activities in future will include all people in line with this notion of
‘Pahang UMNO is for all’.
EXECUTING PLANS
TO ATTRACT YOUNG VOTERS
NST
: As one of the longest-serving State Liaison Chairmen and MBs, do you think
UMNO has really changed to win the hearts of young voters both in rural and
urban areas?
DSDRAY
: No, UMNO has not gone all out yet to
win the hearts of the young voters. The move, if at all there is, is still very
slow.
Hopefully and
I’m sure it will happen in line with the guidance given by the President in his
Keynote Address to the delegates and the Deputy President’s Address during the
official opening of the Wings’ Annual General Assembly.
After this I’m
sure all UMNO leaders at all levels in all States will execute the plans to
attract the young voters towards UMNO. This is important as an effort to
rejuvenate UMNO so as to remain relevant at all times.
As for Pahang,
the State will allocate position for the young in suitable places. This will be
done the soonest possible.
AM
STRAIGHT-FORWARD AND FRANK PERSON
NST
: There are those who criticise your leadership style while others claim that
it is necessary for you to be firm to help maintain unity in the party and
ensure smooth development in the state.
Will
you change your leadership style to accommodate the new voters and young party
members?
DSDRAY
: Every leader has his or her own style
of leadership. No two leaders have the same or similar style. This is simply
impossible. A leader can’t simply change certain traits he was born with.
It’s not my
intention to talk about me personally. Since the question was asked, I can say
only this; I’m a straight-forward and frank person who tries to be sincere and
honest at all times. I would give credit where it’s due.
I would point
out a mistake or wrong there and then. I don’t think this is wrong especially
in this global world where we’re talking about accountability and transparency
and as long as you remain proper.
NOT PREPARED TO
BE SOFT
The people of
Pahang fully understand their Chief Minister.
If you want me
to become soft and weak, I’m sorry I’m not prepared to be one. I will go for
changes to accomodate the wishes of the people, but to change just for the sake
of changing, then the answer is no.
I’m sure the
young will not be uncomfortable if a leader is robust or tough anyway.
NST
: Will the recent tragedies and issues in Cameron Highlands affect the party’s
performance in the next GE?
DSDRAY
: In all previous press conferences, I
never failed to state that the State Government welcome any issues raised and
any constructive criticism made. This included all issues relating to all
aspects of the State Government’s administration.
We welcome all
this so that we’ll be able to improve on any weaknesses thereabout. But I can’t
take it when the report is false and is a lie like saying there are 30,000
illegal immigrants in Cameron Highlands when solid figure showed that there are
only 11,000 legal and 2,000 illegal immigrants up there.
Issues like this
will of course affect the Party if, and only if, we don’t take the necessary
corrective measures. If we are serious and successfully execute the correct
measures, people will not lose confidence in us. They will see the openness in
the government’s attitude.
GROOMING YOUNG
LEADERS
NST
: Some people claim that you have ‘overstayed your welcome’ and should give way
to the new leaders. Do you think that the time has come for new leaders to take
over the party and state leadership in Pahang?
DSDRAY
: The phrase ‘overstay your welcome’ is
subjective, depending on who it comes from. If it comes from your supporters,
they would ask you to carry on. If it comes from your detractors, they would
ask you go immediately.
I’ve been around
for quite some time. But my contemporaries have been around longer than I am. I’ll
go when it’s time to. But I’m not ready to go just because my detractors want me
to.
Allah has willed
that only the Prime Minister and the Sultan can determine my position. More so
the MB holds office at the pleasure of the Ruler. Ever since day one, I’ve
groomed and introduced many young leaders to gain experience so that one day
they can go up the ladder.
It’s up to them
to learn and to perform. The rest remains with Allah The Almighty. In the
meantime, no one should usurp the right of Allah who determines all things
including pushing up and pulling down people (to and from certain positions). – NST/Khabar
