Najib challenges Gerakan to win back Penang

Najib also says that Umno will not claim leadership in Penang.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today challenged Gerakan to reclaim the party’s home state Penang as he noticed that the delegates at the party’s annual meeting were ‘upbeat’ to face the 13th general election, expected to be held soon.

“People say it is impossible to win Penang back but I don’t think so.

“I won’t give up on Penang. We must prove that we are a better government,” said Najib when he officiated Gerakan’s national delegates’ conference (NDC) at the party headquarters in Cheras this morning.

To win back the state from Pakatan Rakyat, Najib urged Gerakan to ‘walk the talk’ and win the hearts and minds of the people.

“You have to literally walk the ground, work the ground and garner support. You have to have the numbers,” said Najib.

He also said that the rest of the Barisan Nasional component parties would work together with Gerakan to achieve this goal.

Gerakan had held Penang for almost 39 years before being routed in the 2008 general election. The party also suffered its worst electoral defeat in the polls by retaining only two parliament seats out of the 10 it held.

Since then the party has been trying to re-invent itself to be a force again. Many in the party also feel that Koh is not the right person to lead the party to the next general election, citing that he lacks charisma and personality to lead the charge.

Umno will not lead Penang

In his speech, Najib also expressed hope that Gerakan would make a strong comeback into national politics.

“We want Gerakan to return to its glory days and be a force to be reckoned with within the national politics,” he added.

Najib also brushed aside fears that Umno wants to take control of Penang if BN wins backs the state. He added that Gerakan would still be BN’s choice to lead Penang.

“Umno never claimed state leadership in Penang,” he stressed.

Despite his confidence on Gerakan’s ability to recapture Penang, Najib however admitted that the 13th general election presents the biggest challenge for BN.

“I agree that the 13th general election is vital not only for Gerakan but also for BN. We are going to face a major crossroads to decide the future of this country,” he said.