Jelutong folk cool to BN's RM1.03mil handout
Although the BN announced RM1.03 in funds for needs in Jelutong, Penang,, there was a distinct lack of enthusiasm, as residents left the venue earlier than deputy premier Muhyiddin Yassin, who officiated at a tea party yesterday.
Although the BN announced RM1.03 in funds for needs in Jelutong, Penang,, there was a distinct lack of enthusiasm, as residents left the venue earlier than deputy premier Muhyiddin Yassin, who officially opened a tea party yesterday.
As soon as Muhyiddin completed his speech, during which the handouts were announced, the audience were already seen streaming out of the venue near Taman Desa Hijau.
Only BN supporters wearing the coalition’s blue shirts and FRU personnel were left to see the Muhyiddin off after the event.
The BN had expected at least 5,000 people to turn out, but only about 3,000 people including BN leaders and supporters from outside Jelutong were present.
Scores of FRU personnel gathered an hour before Muhyiddin’s arrival.
Asked if the force was expecting trouble, a special branch officer denied this, saying “Some of our policemen were sent elsewhere on duty, so FRU personnel are deployed here.”
Still, state BN chief Teng Chang Yeow said he felt encouraged by the turnout, given that it was a work day.
“It gives us the spirit and the encouragement to contest in Jelutong,” he told the crowd in his speech, also thanking them for attending.
Muhyiddin was greeted on arrival, with a lion dance performance ahead of the Chinese New Year celebrations this weekend, and handed over RM500 in BR1M aid to about 25 senior citizens.
In announcing the handouts - which are based on applications for funds - he claimed that the gesture has nothing to do with the impending general election.
“I have not been here before, but since I was coming, Teng (in blue shirt) had asked me to look into several applications,” he said.
The money is for constituency needs (RM600,000); nine religious associations (RM200,000); upgrading of dilapidated houses (RM200,000); and for traders and hawkers at the Batu Lanchang, Jelutong and Jalan Perak markets (RM30,000).
“If there is no problem, why change the government?” he posed before asking for full support for the BN’s Jelutong candidate in the polls.
Muhyiddin was on a one-day working trip to Penang. He was accompanied by Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nor Mohammed Yaacob and state Umno liason chief Zainal Abidin Osman.
The crowd was said to be more encouraging in Seberang Perai, where Muhyiddin attended a '1Malaysia - Blue Wave' rally in Taman Inderawasih after the tea party in Jelutong.
It is learnt that lucky draw coupons in sets of five had been distributed to those living in Prai to attract participants.
An elated state MCA Wanita chief Tan Cheng Liang said in her Facebook account, which showed photos of the large crowd: 'Syabas! 20,000 Penangites attended the 1Malaysia Himpunan Rakyat launched by Muhyiddin.'
A Bernama report stated that 30,000 people attended the event, with most of them feeling "overwhelmed" by Muhyiddin's presence.
‘I know Anwar ...’
In his speech in Jelutong, Muhyiddin criticised opposition leader and PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim for having issued statements that give the impression that Malaysia was about to go bankrupt.
“This is a lie. I say this because I know Anwar
(left).
I was with him in Umno but he made a mistake and joined the opposition. Now he is the head there,” he said.
“Who says we don’t have money? We have lots of money. The prime minister gave lots of money - for example, those who earned less than RM3,000 per month got RM500.
“Some of you in Jelutong may be rich, so you did not get the money, but those who were poor got it. They also got money for their school-going children. Who among you got the money? Put your hands up!”
He also highlighted the RM250 handphone rebate for youths under Budget 2013.
A BN leader, who asked not to be identified, later said it was insensitive of Muhyiddin to have harped on about the money, saying “it makes people think about corruption”.
“The Chinese do not like to boast even if they have millions (of ringgit). When he kept talking about money, money, people would have thought about those who makan duit (take bribes),” he noted.
Muhyiddin criticised those who have claimed that people in Penang are not in favour of BN, pointing to those present.
“If people don’t like BN, they wouldn’t come. What’s wrong with BN?” he queried.
“In BN, there are Chinese, Malays, Indians, Sabahans, Ibans - in fact, there are 13 multi-ethnic groups in BN and we help everyone.”
He said the people can be assured of a peaceful environment, adding that no one is looking for a fight, especially among the different ethnic groups in the country.
“The police and army will take care of the situation and keep peace and calm. There is no problem, everyone can do business here,” he assured.
“Foreigners bring in billions of ringgit, they meet the PM, or me, Ng or Nor Mohammed. They all say they want to invest. We won’t stop them even if they want to do it in Penang. We help them because we want them to provide work opportunities.”
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