PM: Bagan Datoh is now a district

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak delivers his speech at the national-level "Aidilfitri 2016" Hari Raya open house at SMK Hutan Melintang here.

BAGAN DATOH: Bagan Datoh will now be a district on its own, breaking away from Teluk Intan.

In announcing this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Cabinet and the Perak government had discussed the matter and agreed for Bagan Datoh to be upgraded to a full district.

Najib made the announcement during the national-level Hari Raya open house, which was held at SMK Hutan Melintang here on Sunday.

In his speech, Najib also said the people should not take lightly the peace in the country and must defend it.

"Though we are not free from security issues. We are still peaceful.

"The police have recently arrested 14 militants that were planning to do something serious," he said.

"We are still safe and the people must defend this. We must also not let the issues in other countries affect us," he added.

Najib also said the country's political stability was important as it could bring prosperity.

"Without stability, people will lose confidence in us," he said.

Najib also said the People's Welfare Aid (BR1M) should not looked down upon.

He said some people had called those who receive it as "pemakan dedak" (animal feed eater).

"BR1M should not be equated as such.

"It's a form of welfare. Other countries are also giving such welfare aid to their people, just that it's not called BR1M," he said.

"Some get it but still don't support us but it's okay because we are a democratic country and we are not buying votes. What's important is that we are helping the needy," he added.

Najib said BR1M was given to the poor so they could spend on essential items.

"When they buy goods or shoes for their children, they are moving the economy," he said.