BN doesn’t recycle former leaders — CM

KUCHING: Voters in Sarawak can rest assured that Barisan Nasional (BN) will not recycle former leaders like what Pakatan Harapan (PH) is expected to do should the opposition come into power after the 14th General Election (GE14).

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is state BN chairman, said the ruling coalition has the interest of young Malaysians close to their heart as the future belongs to the youth.

“With the unity of BN, we look forward to a brighter future for us. The opposition is more fragmented while BN Sarawak or BN as a whole is looking forward to the future.

“We will not have recycled candidates. We have to look forward instead of looking back. Most of our voters are young, the young ones want something for the future,” he told a press conference after chairing the first state BN Supreme Council meeting of the year at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters here yesterday.

Recently PH announced former prime minister and its national chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, 93, as its candidate for prime minister in the event that the opposition alliance wins the coming polls.

Earlier, Abang Johari said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had kept an open mind on Sarawak’s pursuance of devolution of power within the context of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

He reminded that Najib had recently mentioned two conditions - no talk on secession and undivided support for BN - with regards to restoring the rights of Sarawak.

Abang Johari said he was grateful that the prime minister had been responsive towards the state’s requests while being open to discussions.

According to him, it is easier for state BN to iron things out with the federal BN when Sarawak remains in Malaysia.

He stressed that Sarawak had been part of Malaysia and will be in Malaysia forever.

“The only thing is that we want to get back our power,” said Abang Johari.

He said his administration would continue maintaining a good relationship with Putrajaya so that Sarawak could see further development.

“With this collaboration and good team work between the state BN and federal BN, that will create a very good atmosphere for us to develop our state in the context of Malaysia,” he added.

Among those present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, who is state BN secretary-general.