HAPPY TO MEET MUHYIDDIN

JASIN, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Several residents of Merlimau are happy to meet Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today.

 Siti Noor Syahirah Abd Rahman,19, who shook hands and talked to Muhyiddin said it was her second encounter with the country''s leader. "The first was in Mersing, Johor in 2007. I just caught a glimpse of him," said the shop assistant.

Muhyiddin was on a "walkabout" tour of Merlimau, a small town with a population of 1,000 people. 

Aw Yong Gern, 61, said she felt nervous during the first meeting with Muhyiddin.

"I was a little scared but he was nice and spoke softly. He asked how''s buisness and I told him prices had to be increased as everyhing has gone up," said the mini market operator.

T Sivarajoo,46, said it was his second meeting with the deputy prime minister. He said the first was in Selangor in 2005 when Muhyiddin was Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister. "I thanked him for the groundbreaking ceremony for Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil here today," he said.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said the government spent RM1.8bil annually to pay the salary of teachers in SJK Chinese and Tamil schools. The teachers teach in over 1,700 SJK schools nationwide.

"Its not true to say that we only support national schools and not SJK schools," he said after opening a new building for SJK China Merlimau here tonight.