As polls loom, PM Najib pledges to solve Penang’s traffic, housing woes

Najib joins media representatives for dinner at the media night on February 10, 2013. — Picture by K.E. Ooi

GEORGE TOWN, Feb 11 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak went on a stump for Barisan Nasional (BN) last night in his two-day trip to Penang here, pledging to solve traffic and housing woes in a state now considered Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) sturdiest fortress for Election 2013.

“I don’t believe in promises that I can’t deliver, when I promised to address the housing and traffic issues the last time I came here, believe me I will fulfil it,” he said in a speech during a BN media night at G Hotel here.

The first-term prime minister, who arrived in Penang earlier yesterday afternoon, was hosting a media night for representatives from a total 16 print and online media outfits.

“Penang is important to us, it is a jewel to us and there is a lot that we can still do,” he said.

Najib also repeated lines that tomorrow’s Chinese New Year open house, which has courted controversy due to BN’s invitation to K-pop sensation Psy, would be a celebration for Penang folk and not a ploy to woo votes.

He added his willingness to better engage with the Chinese community, who form the second largest ethnic group in multiracial Malaysia.

During the event, a Chinese New Year commercial of Najib beating the Chinese drum was played.

“I learned to beat the drum because I want the Chinese community to know that I respect the Chinese culture, just as much as we respect the Malay culture and the Indian culture,” he said.

Najib added that this was the underpinning fundamental value of his 1 Malaysia concept, a brainchild of the prime minister in his bid to be more inclusive.

“1 Malaysia is not just a slogan but about building a strong nation all will feel a sense of belonging so people do not need to fear it or to remove 1 Malaysia banners,” he said.

He called on the press to work with the government on its 1 Malaysia transformation for it to succeed.

“1 Malaysia is for nation building, it is not about politics,” he insisted.

Najib said politics should be set aside so that the 1 Malaysia dream could become a reality.

After the media night, Najib went for a walk along the Gurney Drive promenade and handed out ang pows to the public before he stopping at the hawker centre for a meal of local Penang delights of pasembur, char koay teow and satay.