‘BN brings development in exchange for support’ — Dr Rundi

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SIBU: Barisan Nasional (BN) translates people’s support into physical development for their betterment, state BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said yesterday.

“The opposition, on the other hand, only makes empty promises,” he said, adding that people in constituencies represented by PKR/Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had become increasingly frustrated.

“PKR’s slogan of ‘Justice for Balingian’ was merely to attract people’s attention,” he said.

“It’s an attempt by the opposition to manipulate the issues at hand.

“But they never reveal what they can afford to do that is better than what BN has delivered thus far,” he said.

Dr Rundi, who is Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), was asked on PKR’s slogan of fighting for the long-term needs of Balingian folk.

State PKR vice-chairman See Chee How claimed that people of Balingian would not be swayed by the goodies dished out by BN during the by-election because what the people wanted were long-term facilities.

PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah was puzzled by what PKR meant by ‘Justice for Baligian’.

He said Balingian and Mukah were just small fishing villages in 2000.

“And after Pehin Sri (Abdul Taib Mahmud) became their Adun (assemblyman) in 2001 till recently, it’s the fastest developing town in Sarawak,” noted Abdul Karim, who is Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman.

He pointed out that one only needs to go to Balingian and Mukah to be able to appreciate this.

Many PKR leaders had only been in Mukah now and would not be able to understand or make comparison, he said.

“If they expect an overnight metropolitan Balingian like KL or Kuching, then maybe PKR needs to have an ‘Alladdin Lamp’ as even BN won’t be able to do that.

“Suffice to say Mukah and Balingian have seen tremendous development in the last 13 years under BN and this will continue on under the new leadership after Pehin Sri,” he continued.

Abdul Karim said BN did not beat around the bush to gather support but showed it in the physical development that could be seen around.

Political secretary to the chief minister and Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie described PKR’s slogan as mere gimmick to gain political mileage.

BN, he said, consistently brings development to the people.

Abu Seman further noted PKR was using ‘recycled’ candidate in their fight against BN.

“But people are mature and they will not be taken or misled by the opposition’s sweet promises,” he said.