TAKING direct jabs at his biggest critic, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and the opposition, Prime Minister Najib Razak today said Permatang Pauh folk must make a U-turn and support Barisan Nasional again.

During his stop in Permatang Pauh, a PKR stronghold since 1999, Najib said “time has stood still” in the parliamentary constituency since the seat fell to the opposition.

“Please think carefully. ‘Pikiaq baik-baik’,” he said in the northern Malay dialect.

“It has been a long time since Permatang Pauh has seen changes. Time has stood still here.

“There is not much change when what we want is a better tomorrow. The MP here doesn’t know her role. You don’t see her face.

“We don’t want symbols, but elected reps who can serve us well,” he said in his speech at a “kenduri rakyat” at Politeknik Seberang Prai.

“Who is at the losing end? You all, while they win,” Najib said.

Permatang Pauh is synonymous with jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who became the symbol of reform after he was sacked and imprisoned by Dr Mahathir in 1998.

Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan de facto leader, is now serving a five-year sentence for sodomy. His old parliamentary seat is now held by his wife, PH and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Najib also poked fun at PH chairman Dr Mahathir – his former mentor – over the U-turns he had made by leaving Umno and joining hands with the opposition, including former nemesis Anwar and DAP’s Lim Kit Siang.

“We must have a stand. Not make U-turns after 18 years. And, even a 360° turn at that. No need to mention his name. You all know who he is, too. (He made) so many turns that even chairs went flying (‘kerusi melayang’).”

Najib was referring to last Sunday’s Nothing to Hide 2.0 forum in Shah Alam, which saw chairs, flares and other items thrown around when Dr Mahathir was taking questions.

The Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president said the opposition’s struggle of “reformasi” (reform) was dead.

“There is no more reform. It was started to fight a man they called a dictator, ‘mahafiraun’, ‘maha zalim’. Now, they have embraced this man, made him their chairman. Where can there be reform?

“We should shut this book and open a new one. Permatang Pauh folk are well-informed (‘celik’).”

He told the crowd that BN could deliver better to Permatang Pauh folk and make the country greater.

The event attended by Najib was recognised in the Malaysia Book of Records for having the most number of people eating while sitting cross-legged on mats. It was announced that 21,380 people took part.

Najib also praised Permatang Pauh Umno chief Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said for doing a good job in organising the event.

He said there were worries they could not meet the 20,000-people target, but in the end, more than 21,000 came, including BN politicians, schoolchildren, teachers and civil society organisation reps.

Among the politicians was Permatang Pauh PAS division chief Omar Hassan, who sat with other VIPs.

Najib ended his speech by announcing a RM45 million allocation to build the new Sekolah Menengah Agama Seberang Prai Tengah.

Earlier this morning, he attended a closed-door meeting with Penang BN and Umno leaders at The Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya.

Leaders told reporters that Najib listened to briefings by Penang BN and Umno on local issues, and how they had been working on the ground ahead of the next general election.

Umno’s Teluk Bahang assemblyman, Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah, said Najib told them that service to the people was paramount.

“He said money is not the solution. Service is the solution. He told us to work hard to serve and help the people.

“He also said all from BN must be humble and sincere when we engage the people… to show that we do care about them.”

Penang Gerakan leaders Oh Tong Keong and H’ng Chee Wey also said Najib told them to provide good service to the people.

They said there was no talk about seats, candidates or controversies targeting Najib and his federal administration, like the 1Malaysia Development Berhad and Felda scandals.

Najib is on a one-day visit to Penang. – August 17, 2017.