‘Look at what Najib has achieved in past 9 years’

MUAR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wants the people to assess every measure taken by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in helping them over the past nine years.

The deputy prime minister and Barisan Nasional deputy chairman said the opposition was expected to spring last-minute attacks to influence voters, especially those sitting on the fence.

He said the people should remember what Najib had done for them and not be fooled by opposition slander.

He said they should compare what Najib had done with that of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the latter’s 22 years as prime minister.

“During the 22 years, there were many privatisation projects which benefited only Tun M’s cronies.

“For example, every three years, the toll rate was increased by five per cent, whereas under Najib, we have the Pan-Borneo Highway, the highway from Kuala Lumpur to Kelantan and the Rawang Elevated Highway, which are all toll-free.

“Toll booths like in Bukit Kayu Hitam and Batu Tiga have also been torn down,” he said at a meet-the-people session here.

Present were BN Muar parliamentary seat candidate Datuk Seri Razali Ibrahim and BN candidates for Maharani and Sungai Balang state seats Datuk Ashari Sarip and Zaitun Ismail.

Zahid said the people could compare the interest rates for the National Higher Education Fund Corporation loans now and during Dr Mahathir’s time.

At present, the rate stands at four per cent, with a 10 per cent discount if it is paid in monthly instalments and a 20 per cent discount if paid in total.

He said during Dr Mahathir’s time, the interest rate was 10 per cent.

He said Dr Mahathir ’s tenure had seen more than 1,200 people, including himself, detained under the Internal Security Act, a law abolished by Najib.

“In Tun M’s time, the national debt was at 103 per cent, but now it stands at 54 per cent. Najib introduced in a minimum wage of RM1,000, which will be increased to RM1,500.”

He said the prime minister also introduced the free textbook scheme and handed out school aid.

Najib introduced the sponsorship of 1,000 people to perform haj, affordable housing programmes, an allowance of RM600 monthly to each of the 440,000 rubber tappers during the rainy season and an allowance of RM300 a month for fishermen.

During the 22 years, there were many privatisation projects which only benefited Tun M’s cronies. For example, every three years, the toll rate was increased by five per cent...