Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made a full-day visit to Penang today to lend his support to Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates for Sunday's polls particularly those contesting 'hot' seats such as the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency.

The premier made his second visit to the Permatang Pauh this morning, demonstrating the ruling coalition's keen intention of wresting over the seat from incumbent Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail ., who is Parti Keadilan Nasional president and sacked ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's wife.

Abdullah was accompanied by Penang chief minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon, state BN secretary Khalid Ahmad, Perak Menteri Besar Tajol Rosli Ghazali and BN's Permatang Pauh candidate Pirdaus Ismail.

He met with about 400 people at the Permatang Pauh Umno headquarters for about two hours. In a 50-minute-long speech to supporters, Abdullah, among others, promised that BN would continue to uphold Islamic principles while developing the country.

He urged the people to place their trust in 39-year-old Pirdaus, a former National Mosque imam who he said was highly respected at international level for his religious credentials.

Abdullah later held a closed-door meeting with the Permatang Pauh Umno leaders.

'Very upset'

Speaking to reporters later, he said BN chances of winning in Permatang Pauh have increased but said grassroots leaders would have to work hard and supporters must turn out to vote on polling day.

Abdullah also said he was disappointed with the arrests of two men for allegedly bribing a PAS candidate to withdraw his candidacy. The arrests were made by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) in Johor yesterday.

"I am very upset over this matter. However, since the ACA has taken action, let them do whatever necessary. I won't interfere because it is their authority," he said.

The prime minister also commented on BN election advertisements being widely published in the mainstream media. The advertisement has irked opposition parties which have lodged reports with both the police and the Election Commission (EC) claiming the ads are unethical.

"They can lodge their complaints, I'm not worried. They can lodge them with a relevant agency like EC, it is up to them," said Abdullah.

The premier revealed that he will be visiting opposition PAS-led Kelantan and Terengganu on Friday to convince voters there that voting for PAS was equal to voting against development.

Agenda launched

Earlier in the day, Abdullah launched the 'Agenda BN Penang' in Seberang Jaya. The agenda outlines the state BN pledges to the people should it be given a fresh mandate to rule in the coming polls.

Among others, it promises to enhance the island's infrastructure under five strategic thrusts - economic competitiveness, ecological balance, caring and sharing, cultural vibrancy and good governance.

The prime minister is scheduled to hold more meet-the-people sessions in Penang today before attending two dinners with local Chinese leaders tonight.