FORMER prime minister Najib Razak, who has found himself a popular opposition figure, said he remains bemused by the level of attention he has received since his fall from power in the general election last year.
Najib, who received an overwhelming reception when he arrived in Penang in the wee hours today, said he had not expected a huge crowd to turn up just to see him eat at the Pokok Ketapang nasi kandar stall in Butterworth at 1am.
“I am still trying to understand the underlining and underpinning reasons for the overwhelming reception I receive, not just in Penang but in other places,” he told reporters after meeting state Umno leaders today.
“It is something extraordinary if people can gather at 1am during Ramadan to wait for me. Some had arrived hours earlier.
“They were willing to stand to look at me eat. Not sitting down, but standing up to look at me eat. I also felt it was strange,” said the former Umno president.
Najib was asked about his growing popularity as an opposition MP going by the moniker “Bossku”, and the large crowds that greeted him everywhere he went.
He said that his casual disposition, which was a big change from his days as prime minister, could be a factor for his increased popularity.
“Today, I am informal and easy to approach, even physically. So it seems the people like this approach,” he said.
“The people have become my defenders, my bodyguards.”
He was received by scores of supporters at the food stall, who chanted “Bossku” when he emerged from his car. Some shouted “Hidup Bossku” (long live Bossku).
The people continued to take photos and videos of the former prime minister ordering his nasi kandar and sitting down with local Umno leaders at table at the side of the road for the meal.
Many of the videos and pictures have gone viral on Facebook.
As of 11am this morning, the about half-hour live video of Najib’s nasi kandar supper on his Facebook page has been viewed 187,000 times, shared by 1,800 users, and received 7,000 comments and 18,000 likes.
In a subsequent Facebook post, Najib said thousands had turned up to welcome him last night.
“I just wanted to eat nasi kandar. Everyone came to keep me company? It was a full house at Nasi Kandar Pokok Ketapang. Luckily there was still a table.
“Thank you to the thousands who came for ‘sahur’...with God’s will, we will meet again. Ok, time to rest. Continue tomorrow.
“Where’s Jelutong? Don’t run away,” he wrote.
Najib was likely referring Jelutong MP RSN Rayer of DAP, who had offered to debate with him after DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang withdrew from the challenge.
Najib had earlier last week challenged the Iskandar Puteri MP to debate him on any topic. Lim initially agreed, but later pulled out after he was advised against it. – May 26, 2019.
EPF宣布511推第三户口 可随时提款最低50令吉
Taikun adakan rundingan berhubung kasino di Forest City, kata laporan
Tahanan rumah tiada dalam undang-undang, kata sumber
House arrest order for Najib unenforceable by law, say sources
Comments
Posted 4 years ago by Adrian Tan · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by SY L · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by . . · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Justin Leno · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Lan Lan · Reply