Najib to voters: A BN rep has power of the pen

CHINI POLLS | Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak was on the Chini campaign trail today and reminded elderly voters about the power of a BN lawmaker's pen.

He alleged that if either of the independent candidates won the by-election, they would not be around to help the constituents.

"The choice is very obvious. If the calon bebas (independent candidates) won, he will be bebas saja (won't be around)," said Najib (above), while intentionally elongating the word "bebas" to emphasise his point.

"But if you want someone useful, whose signature is worth something, someone who can put a note 'I hope the government can consider', that person is (BN candidate) Mohd Shahrim Md Zin.

"He represents BN, Muafakat Nasional, and Perikatan Nasional. Without a doubt, whatever he does will be considered by the government, as much as possible."

Najib was speaking to a group of elderly voters at Dewan Pasar Tani Fama, Bandar Dara Chini. Those present appeared to be observing social distancing.

Najib, who is the Pekan MP, and whose parliamentary constituency covers the Chini state constituency, said voters must ensure that both their state assembly lawmaker and MP were from the same party.

"You can't send one person upriver and another to the river mouth. If you want a smooth administration, then the MP and state legislator must be from BN," he said.

Meanwhile, Najib said BN had always taken care of the Chini constituents, citing how land had been distributed for second generation Felda settlers to build their homes on, and that a new paper mill in the area would be operational in September.

Najib said that not only would the paper factory provide up to 3,000 jobs for locals in five years, the paper mill would also be buying waste products from the local oil palm plantation owners.

"The first generation of settlers will benefit. They can sell their empty fruit bunches to this paper mill.

"This is the sort of rezeki (sustenance) which BN brings to you," he said.

Najib was referring to the paper mill operated by NextGreen Pulp and Paper Sdn Bhd at the Green Technology Park in Paloh Hinai.

The parent company of the paper mill is the Bursa-listed Nextgree Global Bhd, whose chairperson is former Umno supreme council member Sohaimi Sohadan (below).

Najib also took potshots at Pakatan Harapan, which is not contesting the by-election, by making fun of Amanah central committee member Mazlan Aliman, who spearheaded Harapan's campaign in Felda settlements prior to the 2018 general election.

Mazlan, said Najib, had promised Felda settlers that their debts would be forgiven by the Harapan government but that never happened.

"If he is brave enough, if he is a man, come to Chini. We will welcome him.

"He has lied to us. He said Harapan wanted to forgive the settlers' debt. Not even a sen was forgiven," said Najib.

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