GEORGE TOWN, March 25- More than 5,000 people joined a “Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu” (United People’s Gathering) at Padang Kota Lama here today to express their support for the Barisan Nasional (BN). The programme, organised by the Sekretariat Rakyat Bersatu Pulau Pinang, began at 5 pm and was attended also by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.
Penang BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow, state Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman and state MIC deputy chairman L. Krishnan also addressed the gathering, which lasted for more than two hours. They raised several issues, including low-cost houses, traffic congestion, the proposed construction of the undersea tunnel and alleged failure of the Penang DAP to fulfil pledges in its 2008 election manifesto.
Teng, in his speech, said the Penang BN was ready to take over the state administration and had drawn up a New Economic Plan as well as various other development programmes. He said the Penang BN pledged to abolish toll imposed on motorcycles at the Penang Bridge if it was given the mandate to administer the state.
Teng told reporters later that the presence of the large crowd showed that the people were prepared to support the BN in the next general election.
BERNAMA
