BN needs new approach to win back Penang: Rahman Dahlan

GEORGE TOWN: Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) need to take a new approach to win back Penang in the next general election, said BN strategic communications director Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan (pix).
He said BN will have to promise something different in the Penang Manifesto 2.0 which will be aggressive in terms of reaching out to the people and power sharing in the state.
"Currently, the dynamics of politics in Penang is favorable to Umno and BN in terms of Malay and also non-Malay support as the people are fed-up with the DAP-led state government," he told reporters after officiating the Bukit Gelugor divisional meeting at Equatorial Hotel today.
He added the the people of Penang felt betrayed by the DAP.
The Umno supreme council member also stressed that Umno is not only a party for Malays as history has shown that the party and its leaders have always considered the needs of all races in the country.
"This is not just rhetoric, Umno and BN are indeed a multi-racial government," he said.
Abdul Rahman said Penang Umno should create programmes that focus on reaching out to the non-Malays and non-Muslim so that it can be seen as a party that can be trusted to look after all races and religions in the country.
"For example, if Penang Umno wants to do a charity programme, don't just focus on Malays but also reach out to non-Malays.
"This is what I want the people of Penang to think about Penang Umno, and it can be done," he said.
Earlier in his speech, Abdul Rahman said Penang has gradually lost its edge as a main hub for industries and investments as many places in the country had overtaken Penang in terms of economic progress.
He cited the Iskandar region in Johor as one of those places that had surpassed Penang to become the main centre for foreign direct investment.
He said investors will go to Iskandar rather than Penang as there is too much confrontation and politicking by the current DAP-led state government.
"Don't think that Penang won't be affected by this and if the current state government continues with its arrogant administration, the future is not good for Penang," he said.