Everyone must join hands to ensure NCER’s success

BUTTERWORTH: There should be no excuse from any party, including the private sector, for refusing to participate in the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said everyone must join hands to ensure the success of NCER to catapult the nation to greater heights in the next 50 years.

“I don’t want to listen to any excuses from anyone, especially those who say they are too busy with their business and taking care of their wealth.

“As long as we can see the moon and the sun, we must not stop at our efforts to ensure that the NCER is in place and well implemented to benefit the more than four million people in the northern states,” he said when launching the NCER at Dataran Merdeka Pemuda here.

Abdullah said that unlike those who struggled for independence 50 years ago, the people now did not have to sacrifice their lives and lay down everything.

“I can still remember how Umno youth members had to walk 16kin under the blazing sun to the then Butterworth Recreation Club (Dataran Merdeka Putera) field and stand for hours in the fight for independence.

“They were accompanied by two bullock carts carrying two water containers each to provide drinks for them.

“So there should be no excuse why we should not participate in the NCER as it is done for the interest of everyone,” he added.

Abdullah also opened the Dewan Ahmad Badawi which is named after his late father for his deeds and contributions to the country. He later launched the Penang Sentral integrated transportation hub.

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