Yen Yen caught in 'Yes-No battle' in Malacca

After Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen has engaged in a 'Yes-No' battle with a stubborn crowd in Malacca that was determined to humiliate the minister with repeated shouts of "No! No! No!"

According to Nanyang Siang Pau, the battle of words exploded as Ng (left) was giving speech during a Chap Goh Meh public celebration on the heritage Jonker Street in the city last night.

She said the BN government would organise a bigger Chap Goh Meh celebration if it won the coming general election, and asked the crowd to concur with her by saying "yes".

However, the Chinese-majority crowd responded with a clear shout of "No! No! No!"

Unperturbed, the MCA vice-president tried to convince them.

"You have to wake up. The facts are there. You have to say 'Yes! Yes! Yes!'," Ng said, but her call was met with louder shouts of "No! No! No!"

The minister did not give up.

She compared Malacca with her home state of Kelantan, which banned the celebration of Valentine's Day and lotteries under the PAS rule, calling on the crowd to appreciate the developments brought by Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam.

Ng then shouted "Yes! Yes! Yes!" but again, the crowd responded with "No! No! No!"

Appearing a little frustrated, Ng began to raise her voice and said, "Those who said 'no', go and ask others, go ask the hawkers at Jonker Street how much they earn each day.

"Don't sell out Malacca's tourism and economy for politics. (You) should say 'Yes! Yes! Yes!'"

Ng said power was in the hands of the people and they should be able to see and feel which party was working for the people.

Then she again shouted "Yes! Yes! Yes!" but the stubborn crowd still replied, "No! No! No!".

Ng finally gave up and ended her speech with festive greetings to the people.