Najib made the remark after saying that he had been given a choice of two sizes, XL and XXL, for a T-shirt to wear for the opening of the Gathering of Rising Entrepreneurs Act Together.

“I’m proud to say that I chose XL and I can wear it. The message is clear: I’m fighting fit and I will take on anyone,” he was quoted as saying.

He said nothing more on the matter and it was not immediately known what significance the XL size (or extra large) holds for the prime minister, in the midst of constant attacks in a campaign led by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad who seeks to remove him from office as Umno president and prime minister.

In other remarks at the event, Najib said the government would seek to increase the people’s income at the same time as taking steps to reduce prices.

He also announced the setting up of a hub for young entrepreneurs at Bintawa, to become a Blue Ocean Entrepreneur Township for collaboration and networking among entrepreneurs.