The ball is with you, Zahid tells Penang BN chief

Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow has been given the green light by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to move forward and restore the federal ruling party's power in Penang, after losing the state to the opposition since the 2008 national polls.

"The ball is with you, you are the game player and the main player," Zahid told Teng in Kepala Batas today.

Zahid expressed confidence that significant changes were about to take place in Penang, hinting at the possibility of BN recapturing seats it had previously lost.  

"It has to happen because we in the federal government have done much better than what has been done by the state government," said the Umno deputy chief to a crowd of 3,000 at the Dewan Millenium.

While Umno managed to capture 10 state seats and three parliamentary seats in Penang, Gerakan, MCA and MIC failed to capture any.

Zahid is on a one-day working visit dubbed "Program Turun Padang" to Permatang Pauh, Kepala Batas and Kulim.

Today’s event attendees, as claimed by the organisers, comprised civil servants from various departments including the police force, national registration department and state secretariat.

Penang state secretary Farizan Darus was among the guests at the event.

‘Bright’ vs ‘dim’ chances

Zahid said he was monitoring the situation in several seats in Penang and had categorised BN's chances of winning and losing by describing them as "bright" and "dim" respectively.

He said Tasek Gelugor was “good”, and that BN could defend its parliamentary seat, currently held by Shabudin Yahya.

For Kepala Batas, Zahid said the voters here were fortunate they had an MP like Reezal Merican Naina Merican (photo).

Based on his observation, Zahid said Nibong Tebal, where Umno was defeated by PKR in 2008 and 2013, can be recaptured by BN. He added that Balik Pulau, which was currently being held by Umno's Dr Hilmi Yahya, will be defended.

"For Permatang Pauh, there is hope. I also monitor Bukit Mertajam and feel it's dim (gelap) but can be brightened.

"Jelutong seems completely dim, Bayan Baru and Batu Kawan are bright while Bagan (where Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is MP) is both bright and dim," he added, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Permatang Pauh and Bayan Baru are seats currently held by PKR while Bukit Mertajam, Jelutong and Batu Kawan are DAP seats. -Mkini