TAIPING, MALAYSIA: Meeting the rakyat regularly and doing away with the red carpet treatment will be the approach of leaders in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's administration.

Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said leaders would get closer to the people and listen to their grievances first-hand.

He said Najib started the ball rolling when he made a surprise visit to Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown, Petaling Street, Malay-majority Vista Angkasa near Kampung Kerinchi and the mostly Indian area of Brickfields on Saturday.

Missing was the usual bunga manggar welcome. A casually dressed Najib was accompanied by mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail and Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique.

He shook hands with traders and shoppers in Petaling Street and chatted animatedly with the people in Kampung Kerinchi and Brickfields.
"This is how leaders will approach the rakyat from now on. We want to get closer to the people, to learn about their problems and to be one with them," Muhyiddin said during a visit to SRJK(C) Simpang near here yesterday.

Muhyiddin, the international trade and industry minister, said if Malaysians wanted progress they should continue supporting Barisan Nasional.

He denied opposition claims that the Chinese in Bukit Gantang were deserting BN.

"In the initial stages of our campaign, support from the Chinese was questionable. But in the last few days, we have seen a shift in their support."

Later, Muhyiddin said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's return to Umno had been long overdue."Now that he has returned we hope his presence will strengthen Malay unity."

Muhyiddin denied Dr Mahathir would be calling the shots in Najib's administration.

"We will be looking to him for advice and views on party matters and on the government. He will offer valuable advice."