TWO years ago Abu Bakar Habibullah was among many young people who wanted reform by voting Pakatan Harapan in Pokok Sena, but nowadays he sometimes regrets it and pines for Najib Razak’s leadership.

He feels PH is no better than Barisan Nasional was under Najib Razak.

While he does not believe Najib is a ‘clean’ man – the Pekan MP is facing multiple corruption charges – but Abu Bakar still favours Najib.

“The charges against Najib do not reduce the support for him. We see a big difference between PH and BN.

“Najib was better because he prioritised the people and his policies benefited us,” said Abu Bakar during a Santai Bersama Bossku programme in Pokok Sena, Kedah last night, adding Najib visited the people more frequently as prime minister than PH leaders do in Kedah now.

The Pokok Sena MP is the Deputy Minister of Human Resources Mahfuz Omar.

Abu Bakar was among those who thronged to catch a glimpse of the former prime minister and take selfies with him. Organisers pegged the turnout at about 2,000 people.

An Umno Jerai member, who wanted to be known as Khairul, said he believed the charges against Najib were fabricated.

“Take the example from Dr Mahathir when he was the prime minister, many were prosecuted in court, we can call him a dictator or an iron fist leader.”

“We see Najib now, he attacks PH using facts and many can view his credibility now on Facebook,” he said.

He said Najib’s strategy of leveraging social media and commenting on various issues has helped him gained support online.

Like Abu Bakar and Khairul, the majority at the programme were young Malays and some senior citizens.

The crowd was abuzz the moment the Pekan MP arrived in a convoy of motorcycles and when he dismounted he was greeted by shouts of “Bossku”, while seconds later a song celebrating Najib by Meefly blared over the speakers as Najib made his way to the stage.

“If people ask why Bossku is a phenomena, they don’t see me as a prime minister but a normal person,” Najib said to his youthful audience, adding he was now an ordinary bloke just like them.

He said he had meals at stalls and mingled with all and in a nutshell, was just like them.

University Malaya graduate, Zunnasrin Zaidi 23, was clearly struck by Najib’s charm offensive.

For him, Najib’s latest appearance with bikers, has swung young people’s perception to one that he was the good guy.

The student said it is better to support Najib rather than DAP and seemed sold on the Umno propaganda of a DAP-controlled the government.

“Before GE14, I supported PH but now not so much anymore.

“Yet, it is still 50-50 for BN. If we choose PH, it seems like DAP is controlling the government,” said Zunasrin.

Taman Bandar Baharu Umno youth chief Muhammad Farhan Ahmad said Najib’s contribution as the PM was bigger than his corruption scandal.

“He amended policies that help the poor, such as fishermen. The charges do not affect him because his contribution was bigger than his case.

Last Monday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad questioned how the people can still be influenced by Najib, who is on trial for multiple counts of corruption and abuse of power.

“We are in the time when we kiss the hand of a thief, call him bossku. It is OK to be a thief,” said Dr Mahathir in Langkawi last week.

“That is his opinion, but the most important is the people’s opinion,” Najib replied. – January 25, 2020.