Tuesday March 8, 2011 MYT 4:39:03 PM

Remain close to the people, PM reminds BN MPs

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak reminded Barisan Nasional MPs on Tuesday to focus to maintain closeness with the people by keeping in constant touch with them.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the prime minister gave the reminder at the routine pre-council meeting ahead of the Dewan Rakyat session.

Dr Rais said Najib also reminded the MPs of their responsibility to serve as a bastion against allegations hurled by opposition political parties.

He said the opposition was harping on the issue of the uprising in Egypt that toppled President Hosni Mubarak and was associating that event with the situation in Malaysia.

"Although the uprising there does not apply here due to the varying situation, explanations must be given lest there be people with extremist tendencies who fall for the opposition's propaganda," Dr Rais told reporters after the meeting.

The meeting, of about an hour at the Level 2 Briefing Room at Parliament House, was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and other Cabinet ministers. - Bernama