Sarawak BN does not want Umno in state — Adenan

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Adenan (seated centre) speaks to the media. He is flanked by PBB deputy president I Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang (left) and PBB deputy president II Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg. — Photo by Jeffery Mostapa

KUCHING: The Barisan Nasional (BN) in Sarawak does not want the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) to establish itself in the state.

State BN chairman Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem explained this is because Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), as the backbone of the ruling coalition in Sarawak, is able to unite and work closely with people of different ethnic groups.

Adenan said national BN chairman Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak understood why there is no need for Umno to spread its wings to the state and had made it clear that the party had no intention to do so.

“I have always said this, we don’t want Umno to come here not because we don’t like Umno, no. But because there is already ‘Umno’ here, except the name is different. More or less the same, isn’t it?” Adenan told a press conference after chairing an over two-hour long PBB supreme council meeting yesterday.

“And the Malays here especially, want to work together with the other Bumiputera like the Iban, Bidayuh and so on. And PBB has been very successful in working together with the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and Melanau. And if we are successful in that area, why change it?

“I want you to understand, not because we don’t like Umno, no. We will work together with them, yes. I’ve explained it to the prime minister and he understands. And he has said to me that they have no intention to come. So the matter is academic.”

Adenan pointed out that the issue of Umno possibly coming into the state was stirred up by the opposition.

“I know the opposition raised this matter because they want to raise fear among the people. But they (people) don’t have to fear any more.”

On the notion that people feared Umno more than anything else, he responded: “I don’t know. I don’t know that. But they love PBB, I think.”

Before leaving the conference room, Adenan reiterated: “I want it to be very clear. We don’t want Umno to come here not because we don’t like Umno, but there is already ‘Umno’ and we want the Malays to work together with the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and so on. And PBB has proven that it can be done. We work together.”