We both took the bullets, says Najib as he campaigns with Rosmah

It's all part of dirty politics and price we had to pay for leading the country, former prime minister tells Sungai Kandis voters.

Former prime minister Najib Razak ridicules the PH government for their ‘failed’ election promises, such as reducing the price of petrol and abolishing tolls.

KLANG: Former Prime Minister Najib Razak says he and his wife Rosmah Mansor have taken many “bullets” after Pakatan Harapan (PH) wrested control of the country, calling it a price that had to be paid as a leader.

Speaking at a campaign event for the Barisan Nasional’s candidate in the Sungai Kandis by-election in Bandar Puteri here tonight, Najib said it was part of politics but he believed the truth would prevail.

“They can ruin my image, but that is just dirty politics.

“They don’t have proof yet but they are already charging so many people. They came to my house, they took the wedding gifts and bags belonging to my daughter and her Kazakhstan husband.

“Kazakhs like to buy stuff,” Najib quipped. He was accompanied by Rosmah.

The Pekan MP said it was odd that everything in his possession was being checked to see if it was linked to 1MDB, including his prized possessions, presents and the shoes of his grandson.

“Zahid is lucky he didn’t get his house raided too. He has received many gifts too I’m sure,” Najib joked, referring to Umno president Zahid Hamidi, who was present at the event.

“They took gifts I had clearly labelled as presents from world leaders. Why don’t you check how many gifts Dr Mahahir Mohamad got when he was in power for 22 years?” Najib said to rounds of applause and jeers from an audience of about 300.

Najib alleged that it was Mahathir’s children who had received contracts and lived lives of luxury, unlike his children, who got no contracts.

Najib, in a cheerful mood throughout his speech, poked fun at the current government, ridiculing their “failed” election promises, such as reducing the price of petrol and abolishing tolls.

“If we could have reduced the petrol price to RM1.50 a litre, we would have done so. Lokman knows this too. He was in the finance ministry. He did the math,” referring to BN candidate Lokman Noor Adam.

“We challenge PH to do this and abolish the tolls.

“This won’t happen because the North-South Expressway is still in debt. We’re not even considering the other tolls.

“We already estimated it would take RM1.2 billion to get rid of tolls and another RM1.2 billion every month to reduce the price of petrol to RM1.50 per litre.”

Najib said with the abolition of the goods and services tax (GST), everything from roti canai to teh tarik would be more pricey. “Everything, except tomatoes,” Najib joked.

He added only those who dealt in the black market and multinational corporations would benefit from the GST repeal.

Najib also made jokes at his own expense. He said he used to visit constituencies during election campaigns when BN formed the government, but was now speaking by the roadside with no elaborate setup, stage or podium.

However, he said all that did not matter as he was with the rakyat.

But Najib said it was clear PH was incapable of taking care of the country, pointing to the Tabung Harapan Fund. “This is the government’s issue, not that of the citizens. If you don’t know how to work this out, hand us back the reins.”

He added Lokman was the perfect candidate for Sungai Kandis, referring to him as someone who was fearless. Lokman was previously detained for two years under the Internal Security Act.

Lokman will be up against PH’s candidate, Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni, a religious teacher, and independent candidate, pensioner K Murthy, in the polls this Saturday.

The by-election for the Sungai Kandis state seat is the first by-election to be held after the recent May 9 elections, following the death of incumbent assemblyman Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei on July 2 due to cancer. - FMT