He called on Barisan Nasional component parties in Penang to chin up, forget about past losses and get ready for the big battle, which is the 14th general election (GE14).

Zahid said the weaknesses of the current Penang government were obvious and BN should step in to change it for the better.

He said the people of Penang had given a chance to the present state government out of anger and disappointment with the BN state administrations of the past.

“But with the big day approaching, the people must accept the reality now that the federal government is doing better than what the current state government is offering.

“We have given a lot of space (to the people of Penang). We know they are upset, disappointed. With the PM doing so many transformative changes, I think we (Penang BN) should move forward.

“Mr Teng, the ball is in your court. You play the game and play smartly,” Zahid told Penang BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow, at a Turun Padang event at Dewan Milenium in Kepala Batas here today.

“I feel there will be a big change in Penang, insyaAllah.”

He called on the people to not have a prejudiced view of what Putrajaya was doing for the people as it served all Malaysians, regardless of what their political allegiances were.

Zahid, who is Bagan Datuk MP, said he was closely watching Penang and its BN elected representatives.

He gave a quick “weather forecast” of how some parliamentary seats in Penang would fare: Tasek Gelugor (held by BN): “InsyaAllah”, Nibong Tebal (PKR): “Tiba masanya” (the time has come), Balik Pulau (BN): “Pertahankan” (can defend), Bukit Mertajam (DAP): “Masih gelap, boleh diterangkan” (still dark, can be brighter), Permatang Pauh (PKR) “Ada harapan” (there’s still hope), Jelutong (DAP): “Terus gelap” (still dark), Batu Kawan (DAP): “Sedikit cerah” (bright), and Bagan (DAP): “Cerah dan gelap” (bright and dark).

Bagan is held by Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.