BN is fully capable of reducing the opposition's majority in Penang should snap polls be called, said an Umno minister.

Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz said this is because the ruling coalition would be able to focus all its machinery on the state.

However, he believes snap polls are unnecessary and Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng should take pity on voters.

"Pity the people. Don't drag the people into the issues (you're) facing," Nazri said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

He added that it would be a waste of time and would require much funding.

Seeking consensus

Lim is mulling the possibility of holding snap polls, but is seeking consensus from his partners in Pakatan Harapan.

This comes weeks after he was slapped with two counts of corruption.

Nazri said regardless of the reasoning behind the polls, the public would only assume it is to distract from the corruption case.

Meanwhile in a tongue in cheek moment, Nazri praised DAP for postponing its party election, just like Umno had.

"It is a full validation of what we have done. So thank you DAP, for endorsing Umno. It shows that Umno will never do anything wrong."

Both Umno and now DAP, have postponed party polls pending the upcoming 14th general election.

DAP had previously criticised Umno's move to delay its party polls, saying it was meant to protect then embattled Umno president, Najib Abdul Razak.

However with its decision to make a similar move on Monday, Nazri said this was now a case of "pot calling kettle black".