Ex-MB says free bus does not win polls, credits BN for Selangor's success

Former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib has credited BN for the development of Selangor and the state's success.

He said it was Umno and BN's sweat and toil which led to Selangor being accorded the recognition of a developed state in 2005.

The opposition, Muhammad added, has not contributed anything significant since forming the state government nine years ago.

As for Azmin Ali's administration, he said the current menteri besar has provided several facilities, such as a free bus service, but this does not guarantee an election victory.

“What have you done? Providing a free bus service, showing a little concern for those going to hospitals.

“Nowhere in the world are elections won because of providing buses. But in Selangor, the people can sometimes be duped,” he told reporters in Shah Alam today.

Muhammad, who rejoined Umno in September after stints with PAS and PKR, said the hospitals, facilities and roads in Selangor were built and established by the BN.

The former menteri besar was also puzzled as to how Selangor fell into the hands of the opposition.

“We have done our best... Look at Selangor, we have ports, airports, Putrajaya, LRT. How did we lose in 2008?

“It is odd. In backward states, (there is a) lack of facilities, there is no water, longhouses and BN wins, but it loses in a state which has all,” he said.

Muhammad warned that the advent of social media has a profound impact on politics and therefore urged the ruling coalition not to field arrogant leaders.

The fall of Selangor in the 2008 general election, which altered the Malaysian political landscape, was one of the biggest shocks.

The opposition managed to retain the resource-rich state in the 2013 general election.

On Wednesday, a news report, quoting analysts, stated that the opposition is expected to hold on to power in Selangor in the coming general election as well. - Mkini