PONTIAN – Datuk Seri Najib Razak has shot back at Johor DAP’s taunt on his active campaigning for the state election by telling that he is not Barisan Nasional’s (BN) candidate for menteri besar in the state.
The former prime minister who is not contesting in the polls said the remark made by state DAP chief Liew Chin Tong does not make sense.
Najib, who was campaigning for BN in Pontian earlier today, commented mockingly that he is not the person eyed to take the top government seat in Johor.
He said that he was simply helping out on behalf of Datuk Hasni Mohammad, the incumbent menteri besar who is defending his Benut state seat. Hasni is also the MP for the Pontian parliamentary constituency there.
Najib’s retort was made in reply to Liew’s reported gibe of him being a “poster boy” who has been campaigning as though he is BN’s candidate for the menteri besar seat.
Liew, a former deputy defence minister, had added that Hasni may get discouraged due to Najib’s popularity.
“Datuk Hasni is the candidate and anything I do is for Datuk Hasni, not for myself,” said Najib to reporters. He added that Liew’s comment did not make any sense.
Najib, who is a former BN chairman, also said that things are looking good for the coalition in Johor as it seems to have a good number of supporters on its side.
“The mood and sentiment seem to be in favour of Barisan Nasional but I do not want to predict the outcome.
“The important thing is that we must be focused, focused on our work, focused on giving an explanation and enlightenment, our agenda for the people, and fend off slander, accusations and allegations made by the opposition party,” he said.
According to Najib, the support coming from the Chinese community from both urban and rural areas has been amazing, but the outcome will still depend on the votes to be cast on March 12.
Liew had told a press conference at Taman Bukit Indah in Johor Baru on Thursday that Najib has been campaigning like he is a “poster boy” and a menteri besar candidate.
He said that Hasni, who is state BN chairman, may feel embarrassed and hurt at being outshined by Najib, who is now the coalition’s adviser.
He said Najib’s campaigning was as though he is contesting in the polls and is a candidate for the menteri besar’s post if BN wins.
“If I were Hasni, I would surely feel hurt,” Liew said as quoted by Utusan Malaysia. “But if they feel they can use the former prime minister’s popularity to help BN candidates, it is better for him to campaign every day.” – The Vibes, March 5, 2022
