Different faiths, but they're all constituents
NST (9/5/08): There was nothing extraordinary about my visit to the Roman Catholic Church of the Divine Mercy last month.
The parish members are my constituents. I wanted to meet them and the priest. I'm surprised at the interest generated by my visit. I was told that it was even featured in news sites and blogs.
Since the visit, I've received invitations to Hindu temples. In fact, I will attend a function organised by the Confucian society in Pandamaran, Klang, tonight.
I do not have a problem with attending such functions. To me, it is natural and normal to meet people of all faiths.
The fact that we are of different religions does not prevent us from meeting for discussions and better understanding of each other.
My party Pas, from its leaders and members, support my visit.
I welcome such invitations as they give me the chance to show people what Pas stands for.
There is a lot of negativity and misconception about Pas, but it is not because of our own doing.
Look at the Kelantan government; its leaders are open and believe in engaging all races.
Despite being in different political parties, my brother (Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad) and I do not have a problem with each other.
We respect one another's views. We try not to make it personal.
In parliament, I will convince other BN members of Parliament that they can get a better government. They shouldn't shy away from this possibility.
If they have the people's interest at heart, every MP should think of his responsibility to the rakyat to set up a better government.
I will also focus on issues related to good governance, accountability and transparency to ensure the nation's wealth will benefit all.
Additionally, I will bring up incompetence in the administration, wastage and misuse of power.
For example, our commodities are fetching higher prices and all this leads to more wealth for the country. Paradoxically, the people are burdened with a high cost of living.
This shouldn't be as we export the commodities, and the higher prices should have translated into higher salaries and better benefits for the people. (Khalid Abdul Samad)
The parish members are my constituents. I wanted to meet them and the priest. I'm surprised at the interest generated by my visit. I was told that it was even featured in news sites and blogs.
Since the visit, I've received invitations to Hindu temples. In fact, I will attend a function organised by the Confucian society in Pandamaran, Klang, tonight.
I do not have a problem with attending such functions. To me, it is natural and normal to meet people of all faiths.
The fact that we are of different religions does not prevent us from meeting for discussions and better understanding of each other.
My party Pas, from its leaders and members, support my visit.
I welcome such invitations as they give me the chance to show people what Pas stands for.
There is a lot of negativity and misconception about Pas, but it is not because of our own doing.
Look at the Kelantan government; its leaders are open and believe in engaging all races.
Despite being in different political parties, my brother (Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad) and I do not have a problem with each other.
We respect one another's views. We try not to make it personal.
In parliament, I will convince other BN members of Parliament that they can get a better government. They shouldn't shy away from this possibility.
If they have the people's interest at heart, every MP should think of his responsibility to the rakyat to set up a better government.
I will also focus on issues related to good governance, accountability and transparency to ensure the nation's wealth will benefit all.
Additionally, I will bring up incompetence in the administration, wastage and misuse of power.
For example, our commodities are fetching higher prices and all this leads to more wealth for the country. Paradoxically, the people are burdened with a high cost of living.
This shouldn't be as we export the commodities, and the higher prices should have translated into higher salaries and better benefits for the people. (Khalid Abdul Samad)
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