With speculation running rife over the likely BN candidate for the Pandan parliamentary seat, a huge crowd attended Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's function in the constituency this evening, hoping for a hint, if not an answer.
However, the crowd of some 10,000 people at the constituency's Chap Goh Meh gathering was in for a disappointment, for Najib continued to play his cards close to his chest. Not a hint of who would be the likely candidate was given.
Instead, Najib urged the guests to continue to support the BN because, among other reasons, market analysts were predicting an uptrend in the market in the event of a BN victory.
"I believe the world markets are waiting. What are they waiting for? They are waiting for the BN government to get a new mandate from the people.
"I am confident in believing that if the fresh mandate results in a new government that is strong, even the nation's stock market will skyrocket upon receiving word of a major BN victory.
"These are the words that I hear. Not my own, but from market analysts and those who are familiar with the workings of the stock market," Najib said.
Unimpressed, a group of Ong Tee Keat’s supporters wearing yellow started tocheer for the incumbent Pandan MP Ong Tee Keat repeatedly as Najib wound up his speech.
Though numbering only about 50, they incessantly cheered “Ong Tee Keat for Pandan” for about 10 minutes through the rest of Najib’s speech, his giving of red packets to some guests, and during part of his slow walk out of the venue.
The group also carried placards featuring Ong’s image hat said, “A vote for Ong is a vote for a righteous, benevolent, and good MP.”
However, the crowd of some 10,000 people at the constituency's Chap Goh Meh gathering was in for a disappointment, for Najib continued to play his cards close to his chest. Not a hint of who would be the likely candidate was given.
Instead, Najib urged the guests to continue to support the BN because, among other reasons, market analysts were predicting an uptrend in the market in the event of a BN victory."I believe the world markets are waiting. What are they waiting for? They are waiting for the BN government to get a new mandate from the people.
"I am confident in believing that if the fresh mandate results in a new government that is strong, even the nation's stock market will skyrocket upon receiving word of a major BN victory.
"These are the words that I hear. Not my own, but from market analysts and those who are familiar with the workings of the stock market," Najib said.
Unimpressed, a group of Ong Tee Keat’s supporters wearing yellow started tocheer for the incumbent Pandan MP Ong Tee Keat repeatedly as Najib wound up his speech.Though numbering only about 50, they incessantly cheered “Ong Tee Keat for Pandan” for about 10 minutes through the rest of Najib’s speech, his giving of red packets to some guests, and during part of his slow walk out of the venue.
The group also carried placards featuring Ong’s image hat said, “A vote for Ong is a vote for a righteous, benevolent, and good MP.”
Cheers for Ong louder than that for Najib
Earlier, as Ong rose to the stage to deliver his welcoming speech, he was also greeted with a loud cheers from many in the crowd, louder even than the cheers that greeted Najib when he arrived.
Nonetheless, Najib appeared to have ignored all these efforts.
One of the yellow-clad Ong supporters told Malaysiakini that the group was from a Buddhist group in Ampang and the Mi Nat Benevolent Association.
Met by reporters later, Ong, a former MCA president, said his discussion with Najib, who is also Selangor BN chief, was only on the concerns of his constituents and had nothing to do with the coming general election.
Asked about the vocal support for his candidacy, the five-term Pandan MP said he was initially shocked, but looked at it as the “will of the people” and that there was nothing he can do about it.
“At any given time, there will be people who approve or disprove of what you do. It is inevitable. However, I have represented the people here for such a long time and these are all old friends. I appreciate their support,” Ong said.
Nonetheless, Najib appeared to have ignored all these efforts.
One of the yellow-clad Ong supporters told Malaysiakini that the group was from a Buddhist group in Ampang and the Mi Nat Benevolent Association.
Met by reporters later, Ong, a former MCA president, said his discussion with Najib, who is also Selangor BN chief, was only on the concerns of his constituents and had nothing to do with the coming general election.Asked about the vocal support for his candidacy, the five-term Pandan MP said he was initially shocked, but looked at it as the “will of the people” and that there was nothing he can do about it.
“At any given time, there will be people who approve or disprove of what you do. It is inevitable. However, I have represented the people here for such a long time and these are all old friends. I appreciate their support,” Ong said.
Ong also denied a report published in an internet news site quoting anonymous PKR sources as saying that Ong had sent representatives to PKR to ask to be considered as a PKR candidate for Pandan, but that the party had chosen its strategy director Rafizi Ramli for the seat instead.
He lamented that the online news site did not seek his clarification.
"Who are these so-called 'my people'? I keep wondering. Who are my followers, for didn't they say that I am a lone wolf? Do lone wolves have partners?
"Who are my people? I can't think of one, but what I can say is that at this time, many 'heroes' are coming up with all sorts of tactics. However, I feel that we can avoid all unnecessary speculation and the making of things out of thin air," he said.
Ong claimed that some 50,000 people attended the function, which started at 2.30pm, throughout the day.Another person vying to be BN’s candidate for the Pandan seat, Gary Lim, appeared unmoved by Ong’s supporters.
“There is nothing to be said about how I feel about it. Datuk Seri (Ong) has been serving here for so long. If you were to so say that he does not have any grassroots support, we would be shocked,” said Lim, who was among the guests.
Among the other VIPs at today’s function were Najib’s wife Rosmah Mansor, MCA Selangor chief Donald Lim and MCA division chiefs from several nearby constituencies.
The event also featured a lucky draw, with prizes such an iPhone 5, iPad Mini, water filters and exercise bicycles provided by corporate sponsors.
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