Replies to PM’s message, dismisses destabilisation claims
GEORGE TOWN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s poetic call for unity has drawn an equally poetic response from his deputy, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid replied to Anwar’s poem with verses of his own: “Mendaki ke Gunung Tahan; jatuh ke gaung, temui maut; bumbung tercabut, mampu ditahan; jika ribut diterbang ke laut.”
(Climbing Gunung Tahan; a fall into the ravine brings demise; a roof torn off can still be endured; if the storm carries it out to sea.)
He recited the poem from his mobile phone before the media at the 61st meeting between the Rural and Regional Development Minister and state rural development executive councillors yesterday.
The Deputy Prime Minister said he composed the poem at 9.04pm on Wednesday night after reading the Prime Minister’s post.
He dismissed claims that there were attempts to destabilise the government.
“There are all sorts of claims being made. People can interpret things however they wish.
“I have absolutely no such intention. There is no ‘Langkah Bangkok’, ‘Langkah Dubai’ or anything of that sort.
“What matters is that we stand together to ensure political stability and that our intentions are sincere. Let people say whatever they want,” he said.
On Wednesday, Anwar had posted on his social media a poem on friendship and consensus.
He wrote: “Burung merbah terbang sekawan; guruh berdentum membelah awan; berbeza langkah, jangan putus kawan; selagi muafakat, kita sehaluan.”
(The bulbuls fly as one; rolling thunder splits the sky; though paths may differ, let friendship endure; as long as there is consensus, we stay aligned.)
The post was accompanied by the evergreen 1980s hit Madu dan Racun.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said more jobs and business opportunities must be created in rural areas, especially for young people to curb the migration of rural residents to towns and cities.
Citing figures, he said migration between rural areas stood at 7.6%, while migration from urban to rural areas was 7.2%.
Rural-to-urban migration had narrowed to 0.6%.
“This shows that rural areas remain attractive places to live, work and build a future, supported by jobs, economic activity, infrastructure and services,” he said.
His ministry would work with the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry to offer incentives to industries investing in rural areas, he added.
Ahmad Zahid said the decade-old Desa Lestari programme would be revamped, targeting a monthly household income of RM2,300 for its participants.
