Big-hearted leaders will continue to help BN despite not nominated - Ahmad Zahid





ALOR GAJAH, April 25 (Bernama) -- Big-hearted leaders will continue to assist the Barisan Nasional (BN) despite not being nominated for the 14th General Election (GE14), said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The BN deputy chairman said leaders such as UMNO executive secretary Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, who is also Masjid Tanah UMNO division chief, continued to work hard to help friends in the coalition to win in the GE14 although the latter was not nominated this time around.

"A leader like Datuk (Ab) Rauf is unable to contest but he is not angry and does not shut down the operations room. (In fact,) this big-hearted leader continues to assist his friends (to win in their respective) parliamentary and state seats. He has a big soul, so is his body (in jest).

"This time around, he is helping his friends. Next time, it is his friends' turn to help him win. He has been working so hard at the UMNO headquarters to organise big events such as the launch of the BN manifesto. He is someone who is very committed," he said in his speech at a dinner with 500 residents of Kampung Paya Mengkuang in Masjid Tanah here tonight.

Also present were Ab Rauf and Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, who is also BN's candidate for the Masjid Tanah parliamentary seat.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the BN-led government had always been giving equal treatment to the people regardless of race, especially in education.

He said the government had been very concerned in providing education facilities to the Chinese by approving the construction of new Chinese National Type Schools (SJKC) and other assistance to such schools.

"I am asking the Chinese (community) not to listen to the opposition that the BN-led government only impose taxes and being unfair to them.

"The BN-led government, in its GE14 manifesto as announced by BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak) on April 7, has outlined 364 initiatives for people from all walks of life regardless of their race," he said.

At the event, Ahmad Zahid also announced the approval of several facilities for Kampung Paya Mengkuang villagers including air-conditioning for THE community hall, a children's playground and Chinese cemetery.

-- BERNAMA