‘BN’S clear victory in S’wak proof of people’s support’
SIBU: State Barisan Nasional ( BN) secretary- general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi yesterday praised Sarawakians for being staunch BN supporters.
“Thank you Sarawakians who steadfastly stood by, supported and voted for BN despite the onslaught by the opposition and we will continue to work hard to serve the people,” the Assistant Minister of Public Utilities ( Electricity and Telecommunications) said of BN’s victory in the 13th general election.
PBB supreme council member Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, on the other hand, said the result showed that Sarawakians wanted to give a very clear mandate to BN, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
“It is a manifestation that Sarawakians are happy with BN and its policies. The only unfortunate part of it was a glaring trend of Chinese voting for the opposition.
“This glaring polarisation is not healthy for racial harmony especially in a multi- ethnic society like Sarawak or Malaysia. This trend which seems to continue since the last state election and ever since a west Malaysian political party started ‘importing’ Semenanjung style of racial politics has clearly created a divisive racial trend in Sarawak politics too.
Thank you Sarawakians who steadfastly stood by, supported and voted for BN despite the onslaught by the opposition and we will continue to work hard to serve the people. Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi, State Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general
“This is the price we have to pay for democracy,” he noted.
Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, however, hoped leaders of that particular party could see politics and nation building from another perspective.
“Party leaders must be responsible to everyone irrespective of race or religion and must avoid harping on issues that could arouse hatred, ill-will among races or towards leaders,” he stressed.
Concurring with them, state BN youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof said the positive outcome also showed that Malaysians wanted Najib to continue leading the country so as to continue with the various transformation programmes.
And with the strong support registered by BN, particularly in Sarawak, he expressed confidence that the NKRA objectives for the state under the Rural Transformation Programme could be achieved.
He was also optimistic that BN would fulfil the promises it gave to Sarawak, such as the upgrading of the Pan Borneo trunk road.
“Other promises to Sarawak include one price for controlled items and addressing the high cost of living in all aspects as well as strengthening infrastructure and amenities,” he added.
Fadillah also said Sarawakians had high hopes for BN to make Malaysia and Sarawak a better place to live in.
“The high majority given by my constituents in Petra Jaya is a ref lection of their growing aspirations and expectations and I will do my level best to provide even better service to them,” he assured.
Fadillah beat state PKR youth chief Ahmad Nazib Johari with a majority of 21,443 votes to retain Petra Jaya.
He garnered 29,559 votes against Ahmad Nazib’s 8,116.