KUALA LUMPUR: PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has dismissed the opposition's claim that he was delaying calling for the 13th general election because Barisan Nasional lacked confidence of securing a victory.

"This is not true. BN does not have a confidence issue. Based on the growing public support towards programmes and products we have implemented and delivered, I'm confident.

"But we cannot be takbur (overconfident)," he said after chairing the BN supreme council meeting last night.

Najib said the support could also be seen and felt when he and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin engaged with the rakyat during their nationwide walkabouts.

He said calling for an early election could deny the people their rights as they had given the mandate to BN to lead them within the stipulated time frame.

"In this respect, it is vital for us to continue with what we are doing and to look after the needs and welfare of the people."

Najib, who is also BN chairman, said he was upbeat when he saw the people's faith in the coalition growing and getting stronger.

"We will continue engaging with the rakyat, implementing more programmes and introducing new products," he said, adding that BN had always fulfilled its promises and made constructive changes to push for the nation's development and the people's well-being.

The prime minister pointed out some popular programmes which were well received, including the recently launched Taxi Rakyat 1Malaysia (TR1Ma) for taxi drivers.

He also reminded BN members to be cautious when making statements to avoid stirring racial sentiments among the people. Present were MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, People's Progressive Party president Datuk M. Kayveas, Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Sarawak United Peoples Party president Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui.