KUALA LUMPUR: Penang's flood misery is a "sign" from God and "the best moment" to take back the state under Barisan Nasional (BN), Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.
Posted on 12 November 2017 - 12:40pm
Last updated on 12 November 2017 - 06:13pm
Last updated on 12 November 2017 - 06:13pm
He urged Gerakan leaders and delegates to use this opportunity to win the state back.
"We have seen the defeat in Penang nine years ago. But this defeat is temporary. We will take it back from them (Opposition). It is not difficult, it is not impossible.
"God has brought disaster on those who beat their chest claiming that Penang is free from flood. But what has happened is something where God is showing that this is the best moment for us to take over the Penang government again," Ahmad Zahid said in his speech when officiating Gerakan's 46th National Delegates Conference today.
He said BN was colour blind when it went down to help the Penangites during the flood crisis.
"The Prime Minister himself went down to the ground to check the situation even though he knows that the state is administered by a different party. It is because of humanity and care for the people," Ahmad Zahid said.
He said the if the state government had done proper development planning, the flood would not have happened despite noting the fact of the continuous downpour.
Penang and some parts of Kedah have been badly affected by the floods in the past week after a continuous downpour exceeding average heavy rainfall in a day started on Nov 4.
Seven people have reportedly died in the disaster.
Ahmad Zahid said many BN leaders, including Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, went to help the victims in the name of concern.
"But we did not politicise this. Not at all. Do we want to use all that happened as an opportunity to help people for political reasons? Not everything can be politicised. But if there is any party that politicises everything, wait and see, the people will punish the party and its leaders.
"We know that previously the seed of hatred was planted against us. But when the pendulum turns, then we will be on top again. God will punish them because they have scorned us with full of hatred and now the people know that they are not as good as they claim. The better one is BN and its components," he claimed.
Ahmad Zahid encouraged the high-spirited delegates to keep the fire burning and strive till it regains Penang.
"I am confident that with the cooperation of the component parties, Gerakan will be able to win all the seats contested. This is my hope and the PM's hope as well," he said.
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/11/12/penang-floods-best-moment-bn-regain-state-zahid-updated
