Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim today said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is free to determine his cabinet lineup and will choose those with clean records.

The new lineup also should be willing to work hard, productive and a team player and "we are giving the new prime minister all the space to build his own administration."

mahathir and rais yatim pc 190309 06 He also said Dr Mahathir Mohamad's return to Umno meant that the party's traditional values, namely leadership on the back of clean attitude and strong determination, would continue.

This also meant that Najib would use the services of old timers and find new talents because mixing both elements was crucial for the country's development, he said.

On the opposition's negative reaction to the release of 13 Internal Security Act detainees, proposed review of the legislation and removal of the ban on Harakah and Suara Keadilan , Rais said: "When we do something good and neat in accordance with the law and humanity, they sneer at us.”

"In real fact, Najib's announcement was only to prove to his country and Malaysians that justice and equality have place in his administration and also his leadership," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

najib tun razak press conference The opposition should not have sneered at the prime minister's decision because many human rights campaigners had been calling for it, he said.

Rais said that he personally valued the moves highly and was sure that Najib did not use it to gain political mileage.

"It is up to all Malaysians to value his leadership and how he wants to take the country and the people towards equal justice, and we will assist the prime minister so that this principle remains and is strengthened," he said.

He said that after the announcement in Najib's maiden address as the new prime minister over television on Friday, there would be more timely changes towards stronger nationhood.

MCA boss lauds 'One M'sia' concept

Meanwhile, MCA president Ong Tee Keat said Najib's ‘One Malaysia’ concept provides a clear way forward for Malaysians from all races.

"We are confident and hopeful that this could be realised by all races and all parties," he said.

bukit selambau ong tee keat pc at sepetang 040409 03 Speaking to reporters after a house-to-house Barisan Nasional (BN) campaign for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election in Kuala Sepetang, Ong who is transport minister said the "One Malaysia" concept should be adopted by everybody "as it is above the partisan line".

"We (MCA) did come up with such a notion. We have been talking about cohesiveness, the oneness in Malaysia through better cohesiveness and national resources. We are glad now that there is the One Malaysia notion now, " he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Asked if Najib's 'One Malaysia' concept could give BN additional boost to capture more support in the three by-elections, Ong said: "It's for sure above partisan line".