Prime Minister Najib Razak today had his customary walkabout in the streets of the Kota Kubu Bahru, accompanied by 120 students.

najib visit to kuala kubu 030410 03 He stopped at two Chinese coffeeshops - Yue Lai and Xin Nan Chang - and took some time out to have a chat with a number of customers.

The mostly non-Malay students, from a youth organization called Gen-YMalaysia , followed the prime minister’s entourage and collectively shouted “1Malaysia” as Najib disappeared into the coffeeshop.

najib visit to kuala kubu 030410 11 Most are students from colleges and universities in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor and they came in three buses.

Najib who started his rounds at 4.15pm in slight drizzle spent about 30 minutes, stopping at shops to be greeted by the local folks who had waited anxiously for the prime minister's arrival.

Tan Siew Siwan, 64, the owner of a Hailam restaurant called Sun Sun Nam Cheong, it was an overwhelming moment when the prime minister stopped by to ask if he had any problems.

   

"Now everyone will know Kuala Kubu Bharu because the PM is here," Tan was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Najib who was accompanied by MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek, tasted a special 'Hailam' noodles dish, cakes and black coffee

najib visit to kuala kubu 030410 13 When Najib ended his tour of the colonial town, the students gave him a garland of flowers. Before leaving in a car, Najib shouted "Iker"

(One in Mandarin) three times and echoed by 'Malaysia' by the students.   

At 4.45pm, Najib continued his walkabout by meeting the Indian community in Bukit Teratai.

While the students were enthusiastic, the reaction of local residents to Najib’s visit appeared nothing much out of the ordinary. They greeted the prime minister politely and shook hands with him.

Bills paid by MCA officials

A 60-year-old resident who identified himself as Lim said Najib should not just “drink tea in town”.

najib visit to kuala kubu 030410 02 “He should go to the nearby new village where there are 450 families,” he said.

According to a coffeeshop owner, MCA officials paid all the bills incurred during Najib’s visit.

Kuala Kubu Bahru is the main town in the Hulu Selangor, which is facing a hotly contest by-election on April 25.

The seat fell vacant, following the death of incumbent MP Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad of PKR due to brain cancer on March 25. Nomination day is on April 17.