On his first visit to PAS-controlled Terengganu today since becoming prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi declared that the Barisan Nasional (BN) need not issue any document like the one issued by PAS to fish for votes in the coming general election.

The prime minister said this was because Malaysians could assess for themselves what the BN government had done to develop the country and ensure their prosperity.

"We need not cook up any document like what PAS had done recently," Bernama quoted him as saying at the welcoming ceremony in Kuala Terengganu. About 10,000 people were present at the Sultan Mahmud Airport ceremony.

Abdullah was referring to the public confession by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang that the Islamic state document issued by the party was aimed at fishing for votes during the coming general election.

Indirect recognition

According to the prime minister, most of the facts contained in the document issued by PAS indirectly gave recognition to what had been carried out by the BN government all this time, involving all aspects of development.

He said, however, that it was important for the BN to continue with their efforts.

"If it's not good enough, we can improve further, if it's inadequate we can make addition, if there's anything we have not implemented, we will do so for the country and people," he said.

Abdullah also assured that the people's rights as stated in the Federal Constitution would never be violated by the BN government.

"The Malays and non-Malays have their respective rights which are assured by the constitution. The BN government will continue to protect these rights," he added.