Penang Umno chief Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today alleged marginalisation of Malay villages in Penang. He said it was a heavy price which had to be paid for a switch in political allegiance.

Ahmad Zahid said Malaysians, especially the Malays, had to realise that Umno, which was the backbone of the BN, always championed the interests of everybody.

"This has been proven by what the BN has implemented although the previous government in Penang had its shortcomings. However, we can rectify the mistakes if we take over Penang again," he told reporters after opening the Kemaman Umno division delegates meeting, here.

Ahmad Zahid, who is an Umno vice-president, responded thus when asked to comment on a newspaper report today that about 200 people of Kampung Jalan Pokok Asam in Jelutong, Penang, had been evicted by the developer of a high-rise residential project.

He said Penang Umno, through the Real Estate Foundation, would strive to help resolve the problem.

He also said that he hoped that the Malays in Penang would return to the Umno and BN fold.

- Bernama