WOW 'SURREAL'! Najib and family blend with public at Gurney Drive

GEORGE TOWN- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak struck of one of the items on his Penang to-do list when he took time out to take a stroll at Gurney Drive and to enjoy supper at the famed Anjung Gurney food court here.

He was accompanied by wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, with children Norashman Razak and Nooryana Najwa with her husband Daniyar Nazarbayev.

Najib and Rosmah then sampled various famous Penang food- laksa, sotong bakar, and pasembur accompanied with a glass of iced fresh sugarcane drink.

They were also accompanied by state BN chief Teng Chang Yeow, state Umno chief Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman, Minister in Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop and other BN leaders.

Earlier, he handed out red packets (ang pow) during his walkabout to the surprise of many who were taking a stroll at the famed Gurney Drive promenade.

He shook hands, smiled, and greeted Gong Xi Fa Cai in the traditional Chinese-style clenched fists gesture.

Many also took the opportunity to take photos with Najib, with his son Noorashman,22, stealing the limelight with many screaming 'so handsome!' as he walked past.

Anjung Gurney food court halal food operators association president Mohamad Din, 62, was shocked to see Najib coming with his entourage.

"I didn't have the time to prepare the tables, he just sat down and ordered for his drinks...such a down to earth person,"he said.

Mohamad, who joined him on the table, said this was the first time a prime minister had sat down with the rakyat here and ate together without much fuss.

Schoolboy Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed, nine, who was seen busy snapping photos with his tablet computer, said he always wanted to see him up close.

"I'm going to upload these pictures to Instagram...it is so cool of him to just come out of no where and join us," said Amir who was having supper with his family at an a adjacent table.

Laksa stall operator Nani Pichay, 50, was starstruck to see Najib.

"I only got to see him on television and now he is at arm length, sweating while he savored a bowl of laksa...this is so surreal! " she screamed.

Before the trip to Gurney Drive, Najib met the Penang press fraternity at a Chinese New Year dinner in G Hotel attended by nearly 400 people.

- New Straits Times