Tun M: Political climate favours BN

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today he is convinced that the current political situation is more favourable to the Barisan Nasional (BN) than during the general election in 2008.

He said the various approaches adopted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak were better received by the people.

"I feel that after Datuk Seri Najib took over as the prime minister, the political climate changed and gradually began to favour the BN and Umno.

"In 2008, many Umno members also voted for the opposition due to disappointment. There is no reason for them to be disappointed now and Najib has been doing a lot to regain support for Umno and the BN," he told reporters after delivering "A Statesman's Message to the People of Marang", an event attended by about 2,000 people, here.

Also present were Dr Mahathir's wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali,Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and state executive councillors.

Later when attending a "Gathering of the People with Leaders" session at Sekolah Kebangsaan Panglima Raja, Lemal, Pasir Mas, Kelantan, Dr Mahathir said Kelantan was "ripe" for the BN to recapture the state from PAS.

"The people in Kelantan are turning out in droves to hear BN leaders speak.

And they are very spirited about the "Tukar" (change) slogan to boot out the PAS government," he said, adding that they were fed up with PAS because although 23 years in power in the state their lives had not improved much.

Also present were Kelantan Umno chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia president Datuk Ibrahim Ali, who is also the MP for Pasir Mas.