TASEK GELUGOR: Leave your comfort zone, close ranks and wrestle back Penang. This was the mandate given by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to Penang Barisan Nasional.
Zahid said with Pakatan Harapan ruling the state, BN has constantly been attacked on various issues.
He said the people of Penang, especially members of Umno, Gerakan, MCA, MIC and other component parties are still in their comfort zone as Putrajaya is still under BN and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“Enough is enough. It is time for us to leave our comfort zone. It is time for the BN DNA to rise, close ranks and wrestle back Penang,” he said to loud cheers from those present, a clear testament that the people want BN to return to power.
Zahid was speaking at the opening of the Umno Tasek Gelugor division meeting here today.
He pointed out that Penang BN has been repeatedly tested on numerous issues in the past but the coalition continues to be patient.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to tell you that there is a limit to the patience,” he added.
He also expressed confidence that the coalition (under state BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow) would work closely with civil societies, who are themselves unhappy with the way the DAP-led state government has been running the state.
“Many people-related issues have been set aside by this administration. Many of BN’s deeds and contributions in the past had also all been denied.
“It is now time for Penang BN to hit back for the sake of the people in the state. We have been too nice. We attacked and stop, attacked and stop.
“I hope that under Teng, we will not stop attacking. Please attack because the best form of defensce is to attack. That is what we should be doing,” he stressed.
Zahid also pointed out that what the DAP-led state government is facing now is the trust deficit among the people.
“This is because they too have many issues with the graft busters, illegal factories and such. How do we expect them to be transparent and to have a clean government with such a track record?
“However, our attacks must be based on facts. The facts are there. All we have to do is to be consistent.
“When they attack, we defend. Finally, the people’s perception will favour them, and the people will think that we are not doing enough.
“I am confident that with the combination of Gerakan, Umno, MCA, MIC, MyPPP, IPF, Makkal Sakti and the civil societies, and the fact that the people are yearning for a change and are looking to BN to provide that. We will work hard towards wrestling Penang back,” he noted.
Also present at the meeting were state BN chief Teng Chang Yeow, state Umno chief Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman and Umno Tasek Gelugor division chief Datuk Shabudin Yahaya.
In his speech, Zahid also reiterated that it was wrong for irresponsible quarters to pit him against the prime minister.
Stressing that he is not one who forgets contributions of those who helped him in his political career, Zahid said he was thankful and grateful to Najib who had been with him throughout the years.
“So for anyone to pit me against the prime minister, it is a very wrong thing to do. There is no need to doubt my loyalty,” he said, adding that every leader would have an era of their own to serve the people.
“Before this, it was former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s era. Now, it is (Datuk Seri) Najib’s era.
“But never before has Abdullah spoken ill of the current government. This is the kind of leader we want.
”While we remember his (Abdullah’s) contributions, we also respect him for loving the present crop of leaders and allowing the leaders to run the country,” he added.
In this respect, Zahid said, the people must allow Najib to run the country in his own way.