A DESPERATE Barisan Nasional is dangling goodies to the tune of RM1.3 billion in front of voters in Langkawi, Kedah Pakatan Harapan chairman Mukhriz Mahathir said today.

Prime Minister and BN chairman Najib Razak yesterday announced RM1.315 billion for five new projects in Langkawi under the 11th Malaysia Plan, which Mukhriz said is a desperate attempt to secure votes from the islanders.

BN is also fearful of the Bersatu chairman, Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s influence, he said.

“I see it as a manifesto of fear from BN when they heard that Dr Mahathir might be contesting in Langkawi,” Mukhriz said.

“I hope that they would make the same announcement at two other constituencies that Dr Mahathir is still considering – Kubang Pasu and Putrajaya.

“This is a trend… wherever Dr Mahathir might be contesting, there’s an attempt made to win the people’s heart with the ‘cash is king’ approach. It would be great for them if the promises are fulfilled.

“But I see it as general election promises, not sincere because the projects will only happen if BN remains in power,” said Mukhriz after attending the Kedah PH Chinese New Year celebrations in Tandop.

Najib’s three-day visit to Langkawi shows that the Umno president is not taking Dr Mahathir factor lightly, the man whom BN calls senile and weak, Mukhriz said.

Among the projects promised for Langkawi are an additional building for Langkawi Hospital (RM500 million); quarters for health staff (RM135 million); a fire and rescue station and quarters at Padang Matsirat (RM30 million); upgrading of Jalan Bulatan Lapangan Terbang-Pulapol Langkawi (RM50 million) and addressing the water supply problem (RM600 million).

Najib said the projects proved the continuous commitment of the BN government to safeguard the welfare of Langkawi folk.

He said Kedahans should not allow the state fall to opposition.

“Without the support of the federal government, we will go back to that time. We should not return to that time, but look ahead,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Mukhriz said Langkawi has been neglected for many years and earlier “promises” of RM1 billion to develop Pantai Chenang never materialised.

Instead, he told Langkawi folk to look at the possibility of having the opposition’s prime minister candidate Dr Mahathir as their member of parliament.

“If Dr Mahathir decides to contest in Langkawi… he has always paid extra attention to the development of Langkawi. If he becomes the prime minister, the people will enjoy more benefits,” said Mukhriz.

Earlier, he described the Langkawi promises as a form of bribe (dedak).

“I won’t hesitate to use that word ‘dedak’. It is different if the announcement were made three years ago and without asking for continuous support in return.

“But when it is made only few months before a general election and because Dr Mahathir might contest in Langkawi, it shows Najib’s insincerity.”

On Kedah Umno’s intention to send Bersatu packing in GE14, Mukhriz said parties must show their supporters that they are confident.  

“But the truth is, they fear Dr Mahathir. That is why Langkawi Umno says he stands a better chance in Kubang Pasu. They should not fear him (Dr Mahathir). He is old, a 92-year-old man who can’t break glass even when he throwa a stone at it.”

Dr Mahathir was notably absent today, having been discharged from the National Health Institute on Thursday after a respiratory infection.

Present at today’s event were the Kedah PH leadership and PH national deputy president Mohamad Sabu. – February 18, 2018.