Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin’s plan to tour the nation in the coming three months has nothing to do with snap polls despite strong speculation, Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

hishammuddin hussein 160310 pc at parliament Hishammuddin ( left ) is leading the steering committee for the tour together with other two veeps - Shafie Apdal and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“This has nothing to do with the general election because we have done it before,” said Hishammuddin, referring to the previous meetings of Najib with BN MPs, state assemblypersons and Umno division chiefs.

The tour will kick off next month and finish by June, with both the premier and his deputy visiting two states separately every month.

However they will visit the first state, Sawarak, together next month.

The state is gearing up for its state polls speculated to be held in April.

Hishammuddin said the tour is for Najib and Muhyiddin to understand the situation on the ground, and to make sure the government’s promises have materialised in each area.

“This also shows the party’s commitment. There will be announcements made by them when they are on the ground, to solve issues that affect the state,” the home minister said.

ahmad zahid hamidi Ahmad Zahid (left) added that this is a continuation of Najib’s meeting with BN lawmakers and the BN convention that will be held in Kuching this weekend.

“He wants to see to what extent the programmes and promises of the lawmakers have been realised, what are the weaknesses and how to solve them.”

Asked whether Najib and Muhyiddin want to take this opportunity to “check” on the performance of BN representatives, Hishammuddin answered with a smile: “You'll have to ask the prime minister.”

Another committee that consists of all presidents from BN component parties will be set up to handle the tour, Hishammuddin said.

‘Good treatment of protesters’

On a separate issue, Hishammuddin said the police had video-taped the actions and behaviour of Hindraf protesters yesterday, including how they were treated after being detained by police.

hindraf rally arrest “The police have learnt their lessons from the past experience of handling this group of people.

“There are videos showing that police gave them good treatment in terms of food and drink (during the detention). If anybody alleges we have abused them, we have concrete proof to deny it.”

He told the media that the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the police are now studying the Hindraf cases.

“Those for which there is strong evidence will be charged in court. They had been given stern warnings... They are an illegal organisation. I believe we have enough evidence.”

The Human Rights Party had attempted to hold a rally yesterday in the capital to protest the use of the controversial textbook ‘Interlok’.

The police launched a pre-emptive crackdown by arresting key leaders even before they started the rally. A total of 109 people were arrested before being released.