Adenan (front row, fourth left) jointly cuts the celebratory cake.
MIRI: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) must remain the backbone of the Barisan Nasional (BN) in Sarawak by delivering its seats during the next state election.
Chief Minister and PBB president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said PBB members must ensure there are no splits in the party.
“SPDP (Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party) and SUPP (Sarawak United People’s Party) are split, PRS (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) and PBB are okay but PBB, as the backbone party, must make sure that it does not crack but spearheads the task of returning a resounding mandate,” he said during a joint Aidilfitri gathering on Wednesday by PBB Bekenu, Lambir, Pujut, Piasau and Senadin.
“With a strong mandate, we have a bigger voice and KL knows that when Adenan speaks, he speaks for a united Sarawak.”
Adenan called on Sarawakians to remain united and stay away from the incessant politicking culture in Peninsular Malaysia, reiterating his stand to bar racists and religious bigots from entering the state.
The Chief Minister also highlighted his ‘report card’ of achievements to those present including the war on illegal logging and corruption, stamping out illegal immigrants, lowering power tariffs, requesting higher oil and gas royalties, abolition of bridge tolls, halting new commercial oil palm plantations and logging licences, as well as securing Petronas’ agreement to award RM2.1 billion worth of contracts to Sarawakian companies.
He repeated his call for Sarawakians to give him a five-year mandate: “Imagine how much more could be achieved.”
“This is what I have done in one year, four months. Give me more time and see what I can do in five years,” he said and explained, “If we have a strong mandate, don’t play with Adenan. He is the voice for the people of Sarawak. If the mandate is very small, what is Adenan?”
Among those present at the event were Minister of Housing Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg; Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Awang Asfia Awang Nassar; Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; Assistant Minister of Tourism Datuk Talip Zulpilip; Assistant Minister of Rural Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi; and Assistant Minister of Early Childhood Education and Family Development Rosey Yunus.