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KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on Sunday urged Malaysians to be positive and have an open mind in evaluating him, and to give him a chance in demonstrating his leadership.
Bernama news agency quoted Mr Najib as saying he is also committed to understanding the people's aspiration and would do the best in terms of leadership whether from the aspect of policies, implementation and programmes carried out.
Mr Najib, who was sworn in as Malaysia's sixth prime minister, was speaking during an interview programme with local television station TV3.
He said he constantly reminded himself to have his feet on the ground and to be people-friendly, firm but considerate to others when discharging his duties.
Mr Najib said although the early stage of his involvement in the political arena was a shock to him in his early age, he had to adapt himself within a short period which gave him self-satisfaction in helping others.
He cited efforts in assisting the poor to get a house or to help someone in the field of education.
He said other factors that helped him as a politician was that during his studies in university, he had had many discussions with friends and colleagues on the political developments in Malaysia and internationally.
Mr Najib said he had also studied politics as a minor stream when pursuing his Industrial Economics degree at the University of Nottingham and became president of the Malaysia/Singapore Students Union.
"And when I came back to Malaysia, my late father (Tun Abdul Razak Hussein) had also taken me on the visits to the rural areas and (I observed) how he became a leader, his methods and style," he said.
Asked whether there were differences between the time he first led the government and the time his father first became prime minister, he said it was challenging, although the intensity was about the same.
"The intensity could be said to be very challenging because during my late father's time, he had to face a tense situation after the May 13 (1969) tragedy and the political uncertainties in Perak, Selangor and Penang.
"I too was facing a tense situation because I started in a political situation where the Barisan Nasional (BN) lost in five states, and now we have recaptured one. Facing a more aggressive opposition and a larger number (of opposition) in Parliament and the world economic crisis".
On the transformation to be introduced, he said the focus on the young generation who were becoming voters was not an option but a must.
He said that besides the large number, the young people under the age of 40 had the energy, enthusiasm besides the strong influence and impact they had on the family compared with their number.
"I don't consider them to be necessarily anti-establishment. If we consider that they cannot be nurtured (it's difficult)...and I don't rule out that with the right style and policies, I believe they can accept whatever it is that the government is voicing out," he said.
Commenting on his first 100 days as prime minister where all his actions would be observed by the people in the country, he said he did not have a political honeymoon as mentioned by some people.
"I don't think there is a 100-day period because of the current intensity. I have to pass two quick tests. One is the formation of a new cabinet and the other is my maiden speech as PM. If both of these are well accepted by the people, I believe they will be more open in accepting my leadership," he said. - CNA/de
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