MR NAJIB GOES TO THE RSC

Arrival of PM - Ronnie introducing VP

You could hear the sirens a kilometre away.

And then there they were: a phalanx of motorcycle outriders in V-shaped formation, a lead security car followed by a black stretch limousine with tinted windows followed by another SUV carrying hard faced men who didn’t bother to conceal their shoulder holsters.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak jumped out of the limousine and was promptly introduced to President Ronald Quay who then introduced him to the general committee. Everyone proceeded to the President’s Room for a photograph  session.

The GC members eagerly waiting for the PM’s arrival

Mr Najib then entered the Ballroom to applause and was seated at the main table amid a background of soft music and equally soft conversation from a crowd of about 210 people all decked out in their sartorial best.

Chris Syer during theQ & A session                                it's makan time!

“Mr Prime Minister, we do not understand why the government has to hire consultants like McKinsey because all you have to do is to come to the Long Bar every other day,” he said. “There we solve Malaysia’s problems on a daily basis.” Laughter and sustained applause followed.

The President also related a touching anecdote that revealed that it was Tan Sri Taib Andak, one of the RSC’s longest serving Presidents, who acted as the matchmaker between Tun Razak, Mr Najib’s father, and Toh Puan Rahah, the PM’s mother.

The premier responded in kind relating how he used to come to the Club with his parents when he was young and how much he always looked forward to the RSC’s oxtail stew.

He acknowledged that the Club was one of the country’s most iconic institutions where “I understand many lawyers are called to the Bar.”

In a 20-minute speech punctuated by laughter and applause, the premier touched on many topics including his vision of 1Malaysia, the need for a stable government, the fact that Malaysia was a unique blend of cultures, races and religions unpatrolled anywhere else in the world and much more. He then took questions from the floor.

All in all, this general committee can say with pride that members were extremely well behaved and generally respectful of the position of the Prime Minister. There was no boorish behaviour at any point.

After the Q & A session, the president presented the premier with a case containing honorary membership cards for Mr Najib and his wife, a club tie and a coffee table book about the RSC. In thanking him, Mr Najib quipped; “I can’t promise that I will rack up high beverage bills but I will come for the oxtail stew.”

After shaking hands with various members, the Prime Minister left the premises at around 2.30 in the afternoon.