PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) deputy chairman Datuk Dominic Lau said the analysts’ concern that the development of Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan will go downhill if these states fall to PN is unfair and untrue.
Lau was responding to reports that analysts believe that if PN wrests those states from Pakatan Harapan (PH), the prospects for investors in these economic powerhouses would be bleak.
In the same report, analysts also noted that PAS lacked any positive track record in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and initiating growth in the states it managed, despite being the dominant party in the opposition coalition.
The analysts’ concerns also stemmed from PN poor track record in developing states under their control particularly Kelantan and Terengganu as well as the perceived lack of competency in charting growth for these states.
However, Lau who is also Gerakan president said such a statement was unfair and untrue as PN has an experienced, talented and professional group of people to manage the states well, based on a proven track record.
“We have proven track records. For 39 years under Gerakan, we managed to turn Bayan Lepas from a fishing village to the Silicon Valley of the East under Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu and thereafter under Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s chief ministership, attracting foreign investors to come to Penang and Malaysia,” Lau was quoted as saying by New Straits Times today (Aug 1).
“In Selangor, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali used to be the menteri besar there. Even PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin once led the country as the prime minister.
“So, if you are saying that we don’t have the capability, capacity to manage states like Penang and Selangor, that is not true because we have proven track records. That, itself, we have proven the analysts’ concerns wrong.
“The development in Kelantan and Terengganu was not as rapid because the states did not have the support of the federal government. That is one of the reasons for the slow development there,” Lau, who will be contesting for Bayan Lepas constituency seat in Penang, said.
When asked about PAS being the major party in PN, Lau stated the opposition coalition was made up of Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan.
“So, we will have consensus in PN if we rule any states. As I said, we know how to manage, and I urge all voters to look at PN’s manifesto for the six states which we are going to announce soon.
“This is our ‘janji’ (promise), our manifesto to manage and take care of the respective states.
“You will know then how good we are, how we are able to manage the states as well as the capacity and the capability to do so,” he said.
Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan are currently held by the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) coalition while Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are under PN.
A total of 9,773,571 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots during the state elections in Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu which will be held on Aug 12. – Aug 1, 2023
Main pic credit: FMT
