Barisan Nasional big guns roll into northern state to hand out goodies

PENANG: The big guns from the Barisan Nasional descended here yesterday, giving away millions of ringgit in aid to Chinese schools, the poor and non-governmental organisations.

The show of force, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi with several Cabinet ministers, is a clear indication that the state will be the main battleground in the coming general election.

Today, it will be the turn of the Opposition bigwigs, led by Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, to raise the election fever further.

Apart from Abdullah and senior Umno leaders, other Barisan Nasional big guns who were here yesterday included MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and his deputy Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy.

Also here were MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel and party secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam.

The Mentris Besar of Perlis, Kedah, Perak – Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali – were also present.

Abdullah was here to attend a Bakti community service project opened by his wife, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, at Pondok Puteri Gunung in Simpang Ampat, south Seberang Prai, in the afternoon.

Earlier, Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop met representatives from eight Indian NGOs in Seberang Jaya and presented each with RM10,000 for their activities.

Over on the island, where the population is predominantly Chinese, Ong and Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who is Gerakan acting president, delivered a big ang pow to the Chinese community from the Government.

Fifteen Chinese schools in the state will receive RM3.8mil in government aid, with SM Phor Tay getting a RM1mil boost for its new building in Sungai Dua.

Ong said that while Barisan component parties were sincere in cooperating with each other for the benefit of the people, DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’s relationship was one of convenience.

The Opposition had recently declared Penang as their frontline state in the elections.

Not wanting to be left out of the excitement, the Penang branch of Parti Keadilan Rakyat yesterday launched its “I Love Penang. I love Keadilan” campaign to woo Penang voters.

Penang PKR chief Datuk Zahrain Hashim said they wanted to “rescue” Penangites from a “non-performing” government and were offering Anwar in place of Dr Koh.

While yesterday was mostly a Barisan show, the Opposition big guns are gathering here this weekend.

Anwar has a packed schedule which includes an election dry run in Balik Pulau and a ceramah in Bayan Baru today.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng is expected to be back tomorrow after spending the early part of the week here, visiting markets and public places to make his presence felt.

Guan Eng, the son of Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang, is expected to lead DAP’s campaign in Penang.

No Gentleman's Agreement with Tun Mahathir

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday denied having a "gentleman's agreement" with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad five years ago to serve as prime minister for only one term before handing over the post to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"There is no gentleman's agreement," Abdullah said after opening the Pavilion shopping mall. "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion.

"The prime minister was asked to comment on an agreement said to have been made between him and his predecessor Dr Mahathir as claimed by the former prime minister.

Najib, responding to questions on the matter at a function in Putrajaya, reiterated his support and loyalty to the prime minister.

At the same time, he said his focus was on the upcoming general election and to ensure the victory of Barisan Nasional.

Najib said he did not know anything about the agreement. "No, I don't know. I really don't know about that. However, I am committed to supporting (the prime minister) and remaining loyal to him."I don't know. You (reporters) have to ask the parties concerned.

"Dr Mahathir had said on Wednesday that since Abdullah was older than Najib, he should be prime minister for one term and then Najib should be able to take over.

Dr Mahathir claimed the agreement was made in 2003 when he handed over the leadership to Abdullah but admitted that he had no way of proving it.

The former prime minister had also said he was willing to help BN campaign in the next general election provided the candidates fielded are "clean, honest and straight".

To this, Abdullah said: "Baguslah (that's good). We want to field candidates with a clean track record."Asked whether he would agree to meet non-governmental organisations and opposition parties to discuss current issues in the country, the prime minister said he would meet the NGOs.

"I have spoken to the NGOs," Abdullah said, adding that he did not meet opposition parties because there was too much politics involved.

On intentions expressed by some BN leaders, including menteris besar, MPs and state assemblyman, to defend their seats and others not seeking re-election in the coming polls, Abdullah said he was not stopping them from making their intentions known but ultimately he was the one who would decide on the candidates.

"I will not prevent them from having their opinions. But I will make the final decision," he said, adding that only capable candidates who were willing to serve the party would be selected.