Defensive Najib backs off: I didn't say BN going to take over Penang

Perhaps he was concerned that Penangites might think he would try and take over their state with a Perak-style power grab or perhaps it was the overwhelming laughter that greeted his daring claim the BN will recapture the Penang state government in the next election.

Whatever the reason, Prime Minister Najib Razak beat an unusual and hasty retreat a day after making boast.

"All I said was that sentiments now much better for BN in Penang but must be converted into votes . I did not say BN was going to takeover," a defensive Najib clarified on his Twitter site.

"BN Penang must work hard and serve the rakyat well if it wants to win. Rakyat mesti didahulukan (The people must be given priority)."

Some less than favorable replies that the 57-year old PM received included:

@NajibRazak can see BN gaining ground BUT sadly don't have good BN leader in Penang. Do pick up a General to lead BN in Penang. I am sure we can take up the task.

@NajibRazak should go to Padang Kota area and do some ground work though ask jentera to start ground work in those nasty areas to gain support

@NajibRazak YAB, all your BN leaders here are singing the victory song already, taunting and gloating. So how, YAB?

@NajibRazak Sometimes, all we need is wishful thinking to boost our self-esteem. BN still has a long way to go. Good night!

@NajibRazak Bersedia untuk jadi ketua pembangkang selepas PRU13 DS!

Winds of change blowing BN towards Penang

Najib had visited Penang on Saturday, where he went on several walkabouts flanked by his huge entourages of newsmen, aides, bodyguards and state BN officials.

According to the PM, "many quarters" had expressed their disappointment with the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government and wanted change.

“There is an inclination for change. We want the sentiment to be translated into support,” he had told a news conference in Kampung Permatang Pasir.

He went on to detail how on his walkabouts, he came across people lamenting that stall holders were facing pressure and had difficulty in earning a living, unlike during the time of the BN led by Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon.

Penang fell into opposition hands during the 2008 general election and is now run by the Pakatan Rakyat government led by Lim Guan Eng.

Najib also insisted the "winds of change" favouring BN were evident in the recent by-election results at Merlimau and Kerdau, where Umno candidates had won with bigger margins than previously.

And although Pakatan leaders told him to "dream on", some of his supporters agreed:

@NajibRazak BN emphasize people support & momentum to be converted into votes whereas PR positioning never ending political rhetoric!!

@NajibRazak Cakap Macam Hero Kerja Zero itu LGE n gang! We must fight back go down to the rakyat to help them turn this into actual support!

Gerakan president and former Penang chief minister Koh Tsu Koon was also quick deny that his boss had made such 'over-confident' remarks.

“The PM was very careful in his remarks. He said he visited five areas and people gave him a warm welcome. If the warm welcome can translate into votes in the election, then BN can win back a few seats," Koh was reported as saying on Sunday.

“But he never mentioned recapturing the state because this still need further assessment. Maybe Bernamamisreported (the prime minister).”

Related Story: Najib's 'confident of recapturing Penang' comment draws laughter

Malaysia Chronicle appends below the Bernama report published on Saturday

April 02, 2011 15:30 PM

Najib Confident Of BN Recapture Of Penang In Next General Election

BALIK PULAU, April 2 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today there were signs of a wind of change in Penang, and the Barisan Nasional (BN) was confident of recapturing the state in the next general election.

He said that during his visit to the state today, many quarters had expressed their disappointment with the Pakatan-led state government and wanted a change.

"There is an inclination for change. Although it is yet sentiment, we want the sentiment to be translated into support," he told a news conference after attending a lunch with the people in Kampung Permatang Pasir, here.

Najib said that when he went to the ground (walkabout) today on his day-long visit to the state, he came across people lamenting that stallholders were facing pressure and had difficulty earning a living, unlike during the time of the BN administration of the state. The Pakatan pact of DAP, PKR and PAS took over Penang in the 2008 general election.

The prime minister said the wind of change in favour of the BN was also evident in the several recent by-elections which the coalition won with a bigger majority.

He said prophets of doom in the opposition had claimed that the leadership crises in the Middle East would spread to Malaysia.

"I wish to respond that while the crises is occurring there, the BN has been increasing its majority in the by-elections of late," he added.

Najib, who is also BN chairman, said BN leaders should not feel disheartened by the coalition's defeat (in Penang) in the last general election because it was part and parcel of politics.

"We must pick ourselves up and determine how we can triumph again, and not become too disappointed," he said, adding that to rise again, all BN leaders and members should work together in pursuit of that one objective.

"Let's not have quarrels in the (BN) family. We must keep away conflicts and forge cooperation and do our best. Only then can we rise again," he said.

Najib also hit out at those who claimed that the federal government had marginalised Penang when it had been developing the state all along, including enhancing foreign investment there.

"It is not that we do not want to cooperate (with the state government), but there are quarters which want to play politics, like taking credit for the toil of others," he said.

Najib called on the people of Penang not to gamble with their future, and ensure the return of the BN to helm the state government. -- BERNAMA

- Malaysia Chronicle