SHAH ALAM, 29 Apr: The credibility of Umno-BN has allegedly plunged again when the coalition tried to garner voter by “stealing credit” from the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) success.
The latest, Umno-BN Chairman, Datuk Seri Najib Razak tried to garner support by offering discounts on the Bukit Botak houses, a housing project abandoned by Umno-BN but saved and completed by the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat Government.
Najib, who is also the Selangor Umno-BN Chairman, was also criticised by Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, when he tried to take credit for solving the abandoned housing project in Alam Perdana.
“It is funny when Najib suddenly went to Alam Perdana and paid lip service and gave information as if he was a hero. Meanwhile, the local residents have already cooperated with the State Government to resolve the problem.
“I did not expect Najib to lower his dignity and credibility as an interim Prime Minister and this also shows that he is willing to do anything to get Selangor back,” said Abdul Khalid in a press conference here.
Yesterday, Najib claimed that the BN Government, through Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) solved the low-cost flat problem in Bandar Alam Perdana in Ijok which was neglected for over 10 years.
The fact is that the State Government took over the project, with an area of 1,037 acres from SPNB and spent RM200 million to complete the project, pay bank loans and provide other infrastructure.
Najib, in a series of other campaigns also promised that the prices of houses at Bukit Botak in Selayang will be reduced to RM70,000 from the price offered by the State Government, RM99,000, if BN is given the mandate to lead the State Government.
Commenting on the offer, Abdul Khalid said that the offer proves the inefficiency and lack of transparency of Umno-BN in spending taxpayers’ money.
“Why should taxpayers’ money be spent again on matters or problems that have been solved, if Najib has extra money, use it to help other projects.
“I did not think that the Prime Minister’s thinking is so shallow.
“It is better to use the RM20,000 offered per unit to be used to solve 140 other abandoned housing projects that were left by Umno-BN, which currently the State Government (Selangor PR) is working to resolve.”
The State Government successfully completed 1,422 housing units for the Bukit Botak project which was abandoned since 1985, which was not completed by the previous Umno-BN administration.