HALLUCINATIONS: Penang ours for the taking - BN

UNDER THREAT-Growing confidence of BN has DAP concerned in its fortress

ADAY after a buoyant Umno concluded its annual general assembly with renewed confidence to face the next general election, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday delivered another strong message to Barisan Nasional to ensure a convincing victory.

Speaking at the same hall as the Umno gathering at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Najib told the annual meeting of the People’s Progressive Party that the 13 parties under BN could achieve the target as they had “familial ties”.

BN’s growing confidence seemed to have rattled the opposition, with the DAP yesterday warning its members not to underestimate BN’s ability to recapture Penang.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng told the one-day Penang DAP convention that it was important for members to be prepared against the possibility of BN securing a twothirds parliamentary majority and recapturing Penang.

"Do not underestimate BN and Umno. Although we feel it is impossible for them to do so, we should not fall for it by taking their challenge lightly," he said.

Stressing that it was paramount for DAP to unite with Pas and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to face the general election, Lim said Pakatan Rakyat could not afford to lose Penang.

Echoing his concern was DAP national chairman Karpal Singh who said the party had not ruled out the possibility of BN emerging triumphant.

"We will defend our seats in Penang.

"We will not go down in history as an one-off event," he said, noting that Najib had gone the extra mile to forge closer ties with the people.

The DAP leaders' acknowledgment of an impending strong challenge from BN also comes in the midst of the Penang chapters of Gerakan and MCA putting their bickering behind them.

State BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow yesterday announced that both parties' election machineries were united to face the polls and there were positive results in many areas.

In the 2008 polls, BN lost to Pakatan with DAP securing the most seats at 19, PKR, nine, and Pas, one. BN managed only 11 seats.

Najib told the PPP assembly that BN parties must work on the same platform to serve all Malaysians if the coalition wanted to win convincingly in the polls.

"If we continue to move in a coordinated fashion with a common objective, BN will be strong and can't be challenged by the opposition."

PPP delegates earlier gave Najib a rousing welcome when he arrived, accompanied by party president Datuk Seri M. Kayveas and special guest, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Najib said the BN leadership would try its best to fulfil the wishes of each component party in the run-up to the election but cautioned them that not everyone could be satisfied.

"The most important thing now is for all of us to work together for a BN victory."

Najib also reminded PPP of BN's dismal performance in the 2008 general election, and the lessons learned from it.

"We now know what is desired by the people. Our policies must fulfil the people's aspirations.

"Do remember that a vote for the opposition is a vote for an uncertain future for the people, while a vote for BN is a vote for a prosperous and secure future for Malaysia."

Najib said BN was capable of transforming the country without the people having to endure upheaval.

He cited the unrest and economic hardship as a result of the Arab Spring in the Middle East as an example.

"They are yet to experience the spring and summer that they wished for. All there is for them now is a winter of discontent."

- New Straits Times