''Dr Mahathir Thick Skinned For U-Turn On BR1M''

KOTA BAHRU: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has described Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as ‘‘thick skinned’’ for his U-turn on Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BRIM) should Pakatan Harapan (PH) win.

The prime minister said Dr Mahathir, who is PH chairman, and the opposition pact changed their tune after realising the people needed BRIM.

"Earlier, Tun Mahathir claimed BRIM was an enticement and condemned it, but in the PH manifesto, there is a U-turn with BR1M being offered should PH be given the mandate.

"There is no need to copy us. BR1M is BN’s initiative...he (Dr Mahathir) certainly has thick skin ," he said at a ‘Bersama PM’ gathering here today.

About 20,000 people attended the function which was held at Kelantan Poverty Foundation (YKK) complex in Melor here.

Najib also described Dr Mahathir as a “number one actor” who could not be trusted.

“This kind of person cannot bring Malaysia anywhere or to a high level.

“We want Malaysia to go further and became a strong country and if possible, among the 20 top countries in the world,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Najib said he was confident BN would remain in power in the country in the upcoming 14th General Election.

Also present at the function were Kelantan Umno chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa and deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

During the function, Najib also announced that a new bridge would be built in Ketereh.

“The bridge will be built across Sungai Kelantan at Kampung Serendah here for the benefit of the people especially those in Ketereh.

“However, l would like to see BN win all the three state and one Parliamentary seat in the coming election,” he said.-NST