The people must give Prime Minister Najib Abdul Abdul Razak a mandate (his first) to win the 13th general election (GE13).

Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrishnan said the mandate from the people was important for Najib to continue the transformation programmes and policies for the development of the country and welfare of the people.

"Since the prime minister does not practice favouritism, he is very popular among all the races in the country.

"The reason being they feel their presence and contribution to the nation is recognised and can expect to enjoy the benefits of the transformation, equally," he told reporters handing out school uniforms to 50 poor families in Dewan Perkemas, Lunas yesterday.

Gobalakrishnan, a former PKR member of parliament who decided to quit the party and become an Independent member, also thanked the prime minister for working very hard to ensure all the races enjoyed the benefits given out by the government.

He believed Najib can bring about changes to transform the country in a developed nation that will eventually become a high income nation.

"I hope the people will give Najib his first mandate during the GE13 because the previous mandate was given to former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi," he said.

Gobalakrishnan added that he hoped to defend his Padang Serai seat.

- Bernama