Apology Shows Humility - Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- The action by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in apologising on behalf of Barisan Nasional (BN) for its mistakes, including its dismal performance in the 2008 general election, reflected the party's humility, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairman, said the crucial thing now was to look ahead, especially in the next eight years, towards making Malaysia a developed country by 2020.

"What is said by the Prime Minister shows humility. As human beings, we have weaknesses. The government, under Barisan Nasional, we know, also has weaknesses, and possibly several mistakes.

"Generally, during the 54-year period, no one can deny the fact, despite the weaknesses, we have made huge progress in the fields of socio-economy, culture, education, international relations and various others," he told reporters after opening the 2012 World Kidney Day at Dataran Merdeka, here today.

Yesterday, Najib extended an apology to the people on behalf of the Barisan Nasional (BN) for the coalition's mistakes in the last general election, which cost it several electoral seats and states, including Kedah.

Muhyiddin said he believed the people were beginning to understand the government's move in introducing various transformation programmes, as well as the 1Malaysia concept, which were aimed at rectifying weakness and improving efforts that had been carried out so far.

"Like the national transformation, it encompasses everything, economy, government, politics, rural and the new approach taken by the prime minister and the BN government.

"The people can now see the impact which is very effective and this has given a new hope," he added.

He said the people's understanding and acceptance reflected a new confidence among them on the capability of the BN government.

He said the dismal performance in the 12th general election was a lesson to BN.