Najib urges Chinese community in
Sarawak to return to the BN’s fold to strengthen government
SIBU: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last night called on all Sarawakians to
support “Adenan’s team” in the coming state election.
Speaking at the national-level Chinese New Year (CNY) Open House at Sibu
Townsquare, the prime minister said he wanted Adenan to be given a big mandate
for the next five years to ensure a strong state government.
A strong state government, he explained, would put Sarawak in a better
position to talk and negotiate with the federal government.
“If you want additional allocation, if you want empowerment, or if you
want development programmes, all these can be a reality if you have a strong
state government under the current chief minister,” he said.
“That is why Adenan’s team must and should be given strong support.
Adenan has been doing the right thing and saying the right thing, and the next
five years would be enough time for him to delivery for all communities in
Sarawak.”
Najib said it was also important for the Chinese not to be divided
because the BN government needed strong representation from the Chinese
community.
Present at the gathering were Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor,
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, Adenan’s wife Datin
Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul
Aziz, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and
Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.
On another matter, Najib revealed there was a proposal to elevate Sibu
to a city, and said it would have his support.
“The proposal had yet to be presented at the Cabinet, but I want to
state here that this proposal has my personal support.
“This will open a new era for Sibu and will bring many benefits to all
the people of Sibu and the surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, Adenan appealed to the federal government to help solve the
state’s drainage problems.
He pointed out that inadequate drainage and low-lying areas were among
the main reasons for flooding in Kuching and in other parts of the state.
He noted the flooding in Kuching this year was more serious than in past
years.
In the case of Sibu, he said the town was sitting on a low-lying area,
and it was difficult to find hilly lands.
“When flood comes, Sibu will be badly affected. Many efforts have been
made by the government and these had yielded results, but still
inconsequential.
“We must, therefore, ask for federal government’s help to solve the
problems of drainage in Sarawak.”
Adenan said Sarawak is a vast state, and while the south was
experiencing flooding, the north was besieged by drought.
“We are in trouble now…it is raining continuously in Kuching, while in
Miri and Ulu Baram, it is drought.”
On Najib, Adenan said he had been to towns and rural areas in the state.
“He (Najib) is the one who is always here with us. With such a prime
minister, we need not be worried as what the state is lacking will be fulfilled
in time to come. So, give him more time to fulfill what he has promised for
Sarawak.”
He pointed out the 1,000km Pan Borneo Highway was one Najib’s gifts to
the state. This project could open up the state’s economy, like what the North
and South highways did for the economy in the peninsula.
Hence, he said those who
sneered at this as mere rhetoric should see for themselves by visiting Sematan,
Saratok and Bintulu, as work had started. – Borneo Post.
