LIMBARUH HIJAU 09 JAN ’07: THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PARTY (NDP) has set up special team to help party members and leaders at grass roots level to debate at the upcoming party’s General Assembly their concerns and suggestions on issues related to the wellbeing of the people and the future of the nation.

“NDP will be holding its second General Assembly this coming 18th – 20th May. The important event will bring together nominated representatives from all NDP District Liaison Offices and sub-branches in all the four districts to the 3-day event in the capital”.

“The General Assembly will be a venue for the nominated representatives to debate their concerns and suggestions on social, cultural, political, economic and other relevant development issues they deemed need urgent attention and action from the relevant authorities”, said Awang Haji Matzin Salleh at a brainstorming session of the special committee for the debate program at the upcoming General Assembly.

“Our task here is to assist our members and leaders at grass roots level to identify relevant issues. We need to ensure the issues they will put forward at the General Assembly are not only relevant but must be factual. This means they have to do their homework properly and our job is to assist them in producing good materials for the debate”.

“Bottom line is we do not want to see ‘loose canons’ at the assembly that will put our credibility into question”, added Awang Haji Matzin who was appointed as chairman of the debate committee.

At the brainstorming session, he invited his committee members to ponder on some of the subjects for debate such as on the issue of food security, unemployment, housing, poverty, distribution of wealth, social issues, education, culture and religion.

“There could be other issues which can be highlighted at the General Assembly. We need to help our members and leaders at the grass roots level to identify these issues and properly document them for deliberation at the General Assembly”.

He said it is important for NDP to ensure the General Assembly serves its purpose as the proper channel for people being the end users of national development policies and programs to voice their concerns and contribute ideas for the betterment of society and survival of the nation.