TUARAN: He may not be conferred the KadazanDusunMurut paramount leader title, but Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is confident that the support for Barisan Nasional remains strong in Sabah.
In fact, the nation’s premier leader recognises that the Huguan Siou title belongs only to a KDM leader, that is Deputy Chief Minister cum Parti Bersatu Sabah president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
He said the act by certain quarters, conferring the prestigious title to opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is an act of desperation.
“Have you no shame? Are they that desperate to win votes? In politics, you must have principles, you must respect one another, like how I respect the KDM culture, and others should respect the Malay culture.
“When I danced the Sumazau (the Kadazandusun traditional dance) with my wife, I was heavily criticised on the Internet. But people fail to understand that is how I show my respect on the Kadazandusun culture and tradition.
“I even learned Mandarin because I respect the Chinese community in the country. I believe that when we show our respect on other people’s culture and tradition, they would do the same to us,” he said to some 25,000 crowd who came to the official launch of the state-level Nadi Kasih Programme, here, yesterday.
The Nadi Kasih is a programme implemented by the 1Malaysia Development Berhad Foundation to support the government’s goal to improve the quality of life of the rural poor.
Also present were the nation’s First Lady Datin Seri Rosmah, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and wife Datin Seri Faridah Tussin, federal and state cabinet ministers, and Barisan Nasional component party leaders, to mention some.
Najib also expressed his confidence that the people of Sabah would continue to support the BN government.
“For instance in Tuaran, he (refering to former United Pasok Momogun KadazanDusun Murut Organisation deputy president cum Tuaran member of parliament Datuk Wilfred Bumburing) has ‘stolen’ this seat from us, but he forgot that he won it under a BN ticket.
“The people voted BN, not the candidate. And with his exit, we will select a new guy to replace the vacancy … and I wish to call everyone to continue supporting the candidate, whoever is selected,” he said.
Najib also believes that the people are wise in deciding their future.
“It is a choice between reformation and transformation. Reform would only create unrest, demonstration and destruction, while transformation brings development for the nation and people.
“I was in Beaufort earlier today (yesterday), and there is also an ambitious person there who is confident of winning (refering to Beaufort member of parliament Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin).
“Then I went to Papar and I got the same vibe from the people that they accept BN and want the ruling coalition to remain in power.
“I end my visit to Sabah here, in Tuaran, and I am confident that Beaufort, Papar and Tuaran ‘tatap’ (a local slang for ‘definitely’) BN,” he said.
Najib said the people must reject the opposition and their lies.
“When I announced Sabah as BN’s fixed deposit, the opposition also started coming in, hoping to ‘steal’ this state from us.
“It happened in other states – Selangor, Kedah, Penang and Kelantan, the people they were offered empty promises … do not let that happen in Sabah. But I have the confidence that the people here understand and know BN’s struggle,” he said.