By Kaki Bedal
Slim by-election campaigning is in full swing with Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate hot favourite to retain the seat on behalf of Umno and BN and they done it again ! Congrats !
Looking at this with another perspective, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has once again giving BN, Muafakat Nasional (MN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) a weapon to hammer away the challenge from the independent candidates and to opposition.
The former Prime Minister, despite carrying the burden of abuse of power allegations, still find the time to campaign for BN candidate even when he was in the dock facing accusation of corruption since Cameron Highlands by-election.
In one of the latest campaign speech, his advice is simple but a very effective hammer blow to BN/MN/PN opponents not just in Slim but for the coming election too.
During the speech, he said this (literally translated):
“What’s the point of choosing someone if he can’t help us,.. the rakyat.”
The former premier dismissed the challenge by one candidate said to be sponsored by Dr Mahathir’s newest party – Pejuang – as the independent candidate is not a local.
Najib once again reminded those in attendance that the people has wised up to Pakatan Harapan, pointing to the failures of the opposition bloc to deliver their promises when in power for 22 months.
That quote should be used at every opportunity by MN and PN leaders and supporters including in Sabah, something surely Najib’s former deputy, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is aware of.
Stick to Najib’s simple advice and not be distracted.
This is more so when certain Umno bigwigs suddenly come out with statements criticising Najib when he was in power and now Bung Mokhtar’s effectiveness as lead campaigner for Umno Sabah.
Umno members especially those who’re loyal to the party know and recognize that it is Zahid and Bung Mokhtar who have saved the party in Peninsular and Sabah after BN was defeated in the last election.
With consecutive by-election victories since Cameron Highlands to Kimanis, there is no need for Zahid and Bung Mokhtar to be concerned about such criticism, take note and move on.
Again, the rakyat knows who delivered their promises and who only ‘pandai cakap tak serupa bikin’ only.
- The writer is an experienced analyst and media practitioner of nearly 30 years in the industry
