Prime Minister assures Umno will stay out of Sarawak

1
Najib (centre) cutting the ‘pulut kuning’ which was presented as a belated birthday surprise to him at the PBB Kuching Zone Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last night. With him are (from third left, front) Jamilah, Adenan, Rosmah, Abang Johari and Jabu. — Photos by Chimon Upon

Najib (centre) cutting the ‘pulut kuning’ which was presented as a belated birthday surprise to him at the PBB Kuching Zone Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last night. With him are (from third left, front) Jamilah, Adenan, Rosmah, Abang Johari and Jabu. — Photos by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has given his assurance that Umno will not set foot in the state.

Speaking at PBB Kuching Zone Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last night, he said it was unnecessary for the country’s largest political party to establish itself in Sarawak as it already has a capable partner in PBB.

“We leave Sarawak to PBB because the party has proven its capability to lead the people of Sarawak and it is also our most trusted and reliable ally in Barisan Nasional (BN).

“Since they are already capable and successful, there is no need for Umno to expand its wings here in Sarawak,” emphasised Najib, who is also Umno president.

He commended the state’s longest and largest political party for always delivering and contributing a big part to BN’s victories during elections.

“As BN chairman, I’ve always been very impressed with PBB because no matter what kind of situation, we can always depend on PBB to contribute a large number of seats to BN.

“Honestly speaking, I cannot imagine having an alternative party governing the state as I think the situation would not be as good as what has been done by PBB.

“It’s like they always say: If it’s a winning formula, why change the formula?” he remarked.

Najib pointed out that one of the reasons he appointed eight Sarawakians as full ministers in his cabinet was due to PBB’s strength.

“The strength of PBB and other component parties in the state were evident and proven in past elections. That is why I must recognise their strengths and show my appreciation to them.

“In addition, the appointment of the ministers is also to strengthen regional unity for the sake of integration and to ensure that Sarawak will continue to be a very progressive state,” he revealed.

He also expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem for the strong support he has given to him and called on the people to show their support to the chief minister as well.

“If he (Adenan) is asking for five more years as chief minister, then we must make sure that his wish becomes a reality.”

Meanwhile, Adenan disclosed that PBB would get at least five of the 11 new state seats for the coming state election.

According to him, this is because PBB has the ability to win all its seats as proven in the elections.

“We have 35 seats and were able to win them all in the past election. Give us 40 seats and we will continue to deliver and make a clean sweep.

“With the additional 11 new seats, PBB can claim five seats because we ‘guarantee menang’ (surely win),” he said confidently.

Adenan, who is also state BN chairman and PBB president, said the state election could be held at any time within the next 10 months.

“We will win if we are focused and do not get into arguments like other parties. Let the opposition fight among themselves and become weak parties,” he remarked.

Among those present at the ceremony were Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Adenan’s wife Datin Patinggi Dato Jamilah Anu, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.