Time to rebuild support from youths, says new Penang BN exco
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 16 — The sole Barisan Nasional (BN) state exco Rashidi Zinol hopes to organise more programmes for the youth to build up their support for BN and the unity government.
The Sungai Acheh assemblyman said BN needs to rebuild its support base and change the people’s perception of the coalition.
“We can see from the state elections that the support from the youth was not encouraging,” he told reporters after the state exco swearing-in ceremony at Dewan Sri Pinang today.
He said they need to improve the youths’ understanding of politics and win their support.
Rashidi, who heads the trade and entrepreneurial development and rural development portfolio, said his appointment as an exco will strengthen the unity government.
“The appointment of a BN exco can also draw Malay support for the unity government,” he said.
Additionally, he said his portfolio is in line with the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who is also in charge of rural and regional development.
“This will make it easier for me to apply for allocations for rural development,” he said.
When asked if his appointment has caused a rift between him and fellow BN assemblyman, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, he said rumours about this were not true.
He said the Bertam assemblyman, who was the one initially tipped to be appointed as an exco, is supportive of him being appointed as an exco.
“We have been friends since our school days, this does not affect our friendship at all,” he said.
Earlier today, Penang’s new lineup of 10 state excos was sworn in.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow later announced the portfolios of the respective excos.
He said they were chosen based on their capabilities and experience.
