No place for lazy reps in PBB — Fadillah

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KUCHING: There are no lazy elected representatives in Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) as those who do not perform know they will be replaced.

Datuk Fadillah Yusof

PBB Youth chief Datuk Fadillah Yusof, who made this affirmation recently, said the party was always ready for any election, including the next state election, because the elected representatives were always on the ground serving the people.

“There is no such thing as election time or no election time. We are always working hard on the ground, and so we are always prepared.

“It has been the expectation of the people as well as BN top leaders that PBB’s representatives must serve the people all year round. Because we serve the people all year round, we are ready for election anytime.

“PBB has no place for lazy representatives. Those who are lazy can stay only for one term. It has been the culture of PBB to work hard to serve the people so that our chief minister can call for election anytime and PBB representatives will win all the seats for him,” the Petra Jaya MP told The Borneo Post recently.

On the recent speculation that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem might be calling for state election second half of next year, Fadillah said calling for state election was Adenan’s prerogative.

He affirmed that when Adenan finally decided to call for state election, PBB would back him up just as it had been doing since Adenan took over from former Chief Minister Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud early this year.

“If we want to see Sarawak becoming a developed state, we will have to support him (Adenan). Different sectors in Sarawak are all in place – natural resources, agriculture and infrastructure are all in place. We need a strong government to lead us to become a developed state.

“Sarawak is also the model of the 1Malaysia concept. We need to stay strong more than ever to maintain that status,” said the Works Minister.

Concurring with Fadillah, PBB supreme council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said PBB was prepared for any election, even if it were to be held tomorrow.

“Winning our 35 state seats is not a problem. We have been on the ground since the last state election, and we know where our strengths and weaknesses are. For PBB, state election can be held anytime,” said Abdul Karim, also Assistant Housing Minister.

Meanwhile, political observer Datuk Peter Minos, a former PBB deputy information chief, believed Adenan might not be in a hurry for an early election, “but there is definitely a wish for a mandate from the people, which is normal for any new top leader.”

“Adenan will of course seriously study things in the coming months and see whether it will be prudent to have an early state election, meaning before June 2016. Key issues like rising cost of living, Goods and Service Tax implementation, preparedness of state Barisan Nasional, and the mood of people are real issues to be considered.

“You cannot have an election when your house is not really in order or when the people are in a not-too-happy mood due to various matters,” said Minos.

He said one factor that might trigger an early election is the chaotic situation within the opposition coalition, with Pakatan Rakyat appearing to be in some self-destruct mode.

“The disarrayed and chaotic situation of the opposition may give Adenan an idea of an early polls. One does not slog it out in the polls when opposition is solid and strong and united for that is unwise,” he added.

On the other hand, Minos said from now until 2016 Adenan might feel he needs this period of time to accomplish “many things” such as settling the disputes between Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) as well as United People’s Party (UPP) and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) before calling for a state election.

“Adenan is a smart and higher perceptive leader. He will make a good decision on election timing. Despite the need to have his own mandate, Adenan will assess all factors before he makes a decision to call for state election,” he stressed.