GE14: Give state BN strong mandate — Awg Tengah
LIMBANG: The coming general election is a time for Sarawakians to make a choice between a former prime minister who was known for centralisation of power in Putrajaya, who is now the opposition leader, and caretaker prime minister who supports decentralisation and the giving back of eroded powers and rights to Sarawak.
Deputy Chief Minister and PBB deputy president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said this when launching the BN election machinery for Lawas parliamentary constituency at Lawas Indoor Stadium yesterday.
“The record speaks for itself, as one was prime minister for 22 years and believed in centralisation of power while one is in office for nine years and is always close to Sarawak,” he said.
He said BN national chairman and caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his nine years at the helm had already made 60 visits to Sarawak, visited 125 locations in the state and approved the Pan Borneo Highway project to improve connectivity, and many other projects in the state.
“Lawas and Mukah airports were included in BN’s manifesto for the 14th general election,” he said.
Thus, he called on Sarawakians to give state BN a strong mandate as a show of support to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in pursuing the devolution of powers and regaining the state’s rights as stipulated in Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63).
“This was started by the late out that it is comprehensive and emphasised the importance of development of youths and women, women empowerment and expanding their participation in the economy and nation building.
On why some quarters have asked for the incumbent Henry Sum to be replaced, Awang Tengah responded: “I think he is younger than the opposition leader but I don’t want to pre-empt the candidacy announcement,” he said.
He pointed out that BN has a proven track record of fairness to all communities including minorities such as the Lun Bawangs and Kedayans.
Abang Johari, who is PBB president and BN Sarawak leader, had indicated that Henry Sum would be re-nominated to defend Lawas during his visit to Lawas earlier this year
Awang Tengah later handed out BN election campaign materials to the leaders of BN component parties in Lawas constituency.
Also present were State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, caretaker Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang, incumbent Limbang MP Hasbi Habibollah, PBB supreme council member and Bukit Sari branch deputy chairman Awangku Jinal Pengiran Jawa, former Bukit Mas MP Datuk Mutang Tagal and representatives of BN component parties in Lawas.