Adenan
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem has dismissed talks that state BN component parties are sabotaging election campaigns among themselves.
“Not as far as I know. Not everybody is okay, but 90 per cent okay,” he said during a news conference here Thursday evening.
Adenan called upon voters in Sarawak not to fall prey to the ploy adopted by the opposition which claimed to only wanting to deny the two-thirds majority of the state BN.
“Lim Kit Siang (DAP parliamentary leader) says their aim is not to form the next government but to reduce the two-thirds majority.
“They keep saying this so that the people will feel comfortable voting the opposition. It is just a ploy for them to form the next government.”
To a question, Adenan said he could not stop politicians – those from the opposition parties in Peninsular Malaysia – from teleconferencing to convey their messages.
“That is up to them. I cannot stop them. Do not expect me to tell Malaysia Communication and Multimedia Commission to cut them off.”
After this election, he said the state BN would continue its negotiations with Putrajaya on empowerment and autonomy as well as increasing oil and gas royalties to Sarawak.
“It will be easy to deal with Putrajaya when you are on the same side. DAP and PKR can talk their heads off but nothing can be done.
“It is easier for BN government to negotiate because we are of the same club.”
When asked why he declared July 22 as a public holiday, Adenan said the day ‘is of great significance to Sarawak’.
“On July 22, 1963, Sarawak was granted self governance. Between that day and Sept 16, 1963, we were technically an independent country.
“It is also in remembrance of those people who fought for our self governance.
“Call it Sarawak Day. You have Malaysia Day and now Sarawak Day.”
To a question, he said July 22 would be gazetted as a state holiday.