‘STAY UNITED TO ENSURE BN VICTORY’
We must aim to do more for the people, says Zahid
AVILA GERALDINE AND OLIVIA MIWIL BEAUFORT news@nst.com.my
DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on Barisan Nasional leaders to stay united and work as a team to ensure the coalition remains victorious in the 14th General Election (GE14).
Zahid said Umno and BN leaders must refrain from holding grudges against each other and work towards serving for the betterment of the rakyat. This is to ensure the party and coalition remain the people’s choice.
“We in Umno must have strong endurance and patience when being criticised. There is no other party that can fight for the people other than Umno and BN.
“We have a good track record, so we must aim to do more for the people,” he said at the Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat programme here yesterday.
Present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Beaufort member of parliament Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun, Beaufort Umno division chief Datuk Isnin Aliasnih and Kuala Penyu assemblyman Limus Jury.
With cooperation among coalition leaders, Zahid expressed confidence that BN would wrest the Klias state seat from state opposition leader Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin in GE14.
“I am confident with the people’s support , BN will retain the Kuala Penyu state and Beaufort parliamentary seats.
“Therefore, it is important for the leaders to work together to ensure BN remains strong in these three areas. We must not hold grudges. We are elected by the people and they want to see unity among party leaders.”
Zahid then told Isnin and Azizah to shake hands as a sign of close cooperation between the duo, which received cheers.
“Datuk Isnin acknowledges Datuk Azizah as Beaufort MP and Azizah acknowledges Isnin as the Beaufort Umno chief. There is no use in fighting,” Zahid said.
He also urged the leaders and people to set aside their differences and support whoever was appointed as BN candidates in GE14.
Zahid advised the people not to be influenced by promises made by the opposition, especially those who have left Umno.
“There were those who left because they felt disappointed when a decision was made against them. They have no endurance and patience.
“We know our ‘friends’ have come down to Beaufort.
“Let them come and bernostalgia ...the sky will always remain blue when the clouds have passed,” he said.
At the event, Zahid approved a RM3.6 million allocation to develop two religious schools, improve a community hall and road infrastructure in Beaufort.
Isnin said the contributions for projects in the district exceeded his proposed budget.
“For the roads upgrading project, we only asked for RM1 million, but deputy prime minister approved RM2 million.
“Several roads at the villages will be upgraded into asphalt according to necessity,” he said, adding about 5,000 villagers would benefit from the projects.
Isnin also added that repair on the community hall at Kampung Kukut was timely as it was often used as temporary relief centre for the people during floods.
Other projects approved include the development and upgrading of religious schools in Kampung Limbawang and Kampung Salagon.
Kampung Bingkul mosque chairman Ali Dad Fazal Elahi, 54, said they were excited that Zahid visited the village, which is the hometown of Musa.
“We are honoured the chief minister brought the deputy prime minister here and we hope they will visit us again in the future.”