Najib urges Kelantan people to reject PAS

KOTA BARU (May 2, 2013): Winding up his campaign in the east coast today, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak told the people of Kelantan that this general election is the best time for them to change the state government.

The prime minister, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said the political environment in Kelantan now appears to be better than during the general election of 2004 and 2008, an indication that the people's support seems to be in favour of BN.

"I want to ask whether the situation today is better than in 2004 and 2008. If it is better today, then I want to declare this year as the year Kelantan changes to BN," he said to loud applause from about 15,000 residents of Kota Baru gathered at Maktab Sultan Ismail today.

"If there is still no change this year, then I don't know when it will change," said Najib, adding that the people of Kelantan have three days left to decide the outcome of their election and subsequently ensure that changes are brought to the state.

Najib said although Kelantan had many intellectuals, there were still many things that were "not good" in the state as it still maintained the political leadership that had been in power for too long and is incapable of making changes.

"In order to administer the country, the leadership must be able to accept new ideas. There must be fresh leadership that can bring changes to the country," he said.

Commenting on the leadership of Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, Najib said the PAS spiritual leader should conduct a "reality check" before he offered himself to contest again in the coming polls.

He said the fact that Nik Aziz is in his eighties raised the question of whether he is capable of discussing matters on transformation in the 21st century.

Najib cited as an example the leadership in China, which has a policy where the main leadership would retire when they are in their 70's.

"It's alright to be the spiritual leader, but to administer the country, a leader must have new ideas, must be a fresh leader and capable of bringing changes," he said.

Speaking at Pasir Putih later, he again urged the people of Kelantan to reject PAS which had not fulfilled its promises throughout its 23-year rule in the state.

Present with about 20,000 people at the gathering were Kelantan Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and his deputy, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin.

Najib assured that the BN government would fulfill all the seven promises he had pledged previously to bring development to the people and state if they give their mandate to BN in the polls on Sunday.

The seven promises were to:
>> build the Kota Baru-Kuala Krai expressway;
>> build the state mosque which will become the state's icon;
>> build a stadium;
>> build Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) town campus;
>> build 3,000 units of affordable homes;
>> introduce the Kota Baru rapid bus service; and
>> resolve the water problem.

"The seven promises are just the beginning, we will implement many other things," he said, adding that Mustapa is the best choice to become the Kelantan mentri besar based on his clean record, and his sincerity and vast experience as a cabinet minister.

Meanwhile, Najib announced that 1,000 units of affordable homes would be built in Machang which were in addition to the 3,000 units contained in the Kelantan BN manifesto for GE13.