The primary role of the government is to assist the people, but not take over their responsibilities, said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the reasons for the provisions in the 2007 Budget.

"The government is to facilitate and not to take over your role as individuals, businessmen, entrepreneurs, as students and parents. We cannot take over that role. The role remains yours and yours alone," he said in his address at the Gerakan's 35th national delegates conference today.

He added that the budget was the result of keen observation of the people's needs.

"The budget considers the current problems that the rakyat is facing. The difficulties of the people caused by the rise in oil prices. This is something that affects me personally when I hear the problems faced by most of the people,

"Their disposable income seems less and prices of things have risen. Inflation has also risen. So what can we do? Do we just give the rakyat money [...] or provide amenities that allows them to reduce their expenditure," said Abdullah.

While his budget speech yesterday laid down many incentives for the private sector, Abdullah today reminded that the civil service had their role to play as well.

"The civil service must play their roles even though I've stressed that the drivers of the economy are with the private sector. The government as facilitators and law enforcers must also carry out their roles dutifully," he said.

No room for opportunists

Gerakan vowed it will flush out opportunists who joined the party to fulfil self-serving gains, said its outgoing president Dr Lim Keng Yaik today.

"People who are opportunistic come in all forms, they speak beautiful words to get themselves in, please anyone to get themselves in, basically opportunists work for themselves and not the party," he told reporters after delivering his presidential address.

Lim said such individuals were a stumbling block for the party's progress as they often caused problems by jostling for party positions.

"People who come to our party because we are a ruling party and use the party to enrich themselves will worsen the country's future and damage the party," he added.

Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon explained that the keris was a symbol of unity, and he had raised a mock keris during a gathering of students one day to celebrate a multiracial gathering of students.

"Hishammuddin Hussien (Education Minister) who was asked to officiate the event invited me to raise it together with him as a symbol of unity, integrity and strength among various communities in Malaysia, so I see that as a positive gesture," said Koh.

At the sidelines of last week's MCA general assembly, Hishammuddin said he had no problem with MCA brandishing Chinese swords during their speeches as a symbol of strength and that Koh had previously done so with a keris.