PENANG Barisan Nasional should leave its comfort zone and be a strong opposition to win back the support of the people in the state, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Umno vice-president said as the opposition in Penang, Umno and BN had not played their role well.

“We were hit twice in the previous general elections. That BN is the opposition has yet to be felt by Penang folk.

“Umno, Gerakan, MCA, MIC and other component parties in BN feel comfortable because Putrajaya is still controlled by BN and Najib Razak is prime minister.

“It is time for us to rise, to close ranks and win back Penang.

“We are pressured with various issues, pushed to the wall with various problems. I see that we, the DNA in BN, are forbearing, (but) it has its limits,” he said when opening the Tasek Gelugor Umno divisional delegates conference.

Zahid said although BN had only 10 state seats and three parliamentary seats in Penang, it could be used as a benchmark for the coalition to work with civil society organisations to win back the state from DAP.

He said many of BN’s deeds and contributions in Penang were denied by the DAP-led state government, and it was now time for BN to hit back at DAP for the sake of the people in the state.

“The present state government is enjoying the fruits of Gerakan’s labour,” he said, adding that the deeds and contributions of past leaders were never forgotten by Umno.

“When the time for a certain person has passed, let go. We respect the old-timers, but they should love the newbies. When they make way for the people after them, their deeds will be remembered.”

Zahid said former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was the best example of a leader, as the latter did not criticise Umno and BN when he no longer held power.

He cautioned certain quarters against trying to pit him against Najib, saying such a situation would not materialise.

“My ‘wala’ (loyalty) should not be questioned. I am in Umno, and held a position in the Youth movement because of Najib. I have been with Najib for a long time, since Oct 1, 1987 when I was appointed his political secretary. ‘Insyaallah’, the ‘wala’ will remain until the end of my life.”

On the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary constituency, Zahid said it was a “fixed deposit” for BN and called on Umno leaders in the division to work hard to increase the vote majority in the next general election. – Bernama, August 19, 2017.