What is good for S’wak, M’sia is good for BN: PM

SIBU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak promises to make Sarawak different from other states in the country.

COLOURFUL: Najib (right) with (from left) Lau, Idris, Jabu, Wong and Taib tossing the ‘yee sang’ at the Chinese New Year gathering.

He also describes the BN government as a government that not only connects the people but also makes a difference in the lives of the ordinary people, whether they are living in longhouses or urban areas.

“The BN is a government that will make a difference to their lives. Under my administration, what is good for Sarawak and Malaysia is good for the                  BN and it will be implemented throughout the country,” he said at the Chinese New Year gathering held at RH Hotel here yesterday afternoon.

Among those at the function were Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, deputy chief ministers Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala, Deputy Minister of Transport Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew and Chinese community paramount leader Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming.

In just a short period of time, Najib had visited many places, including longhouses in Kanowit, Saratok and Sri Aman and met many people.

Earlier, he had a walkabout at the Sibu Central Market where people gave him a rousing welcome.

“I feel gratified and a sense of personal satisfaction because my short visit had touched the lives of so many people,” he said.

At the longhouses, the prime minister said the sight of young kids sitting in front of the longhouses waiting to receive aid still carved a deep memory in his mind.

“It’s those little, little things that make me want to go on touching and transforming the lives of the ordinary people,” he said.

The prime minister said the uniqueness about Malaysia was the ability of the people of all races to come and work together.

Drawing an analogy between 1Malaysia and ‘yee sang’, Najib said there may be different ingredients in ‘yee sang’ such as herbs, salmon, fish, vegetables, nuts and so forth, making the dish to look like one hell of a mess, but when the ingredients were tossed, it looked colourful and tasted very nice.

Referring to his own table, the Najib described it as a perfect ‘1Malaysia’ table, saying the people there comprised Malay, Melanau, Chinese, Iban, Foochow, Hokkien, Kelabit and Cantonese.

“This is the 1Malaysia concept that I have been propagating whereby the people from different races sit together, eat in harmony and talk on how to make Malaysia stronger.”

On the fundamentals to become an effective leader, Najib spelt out two criteria.

A good leader, he said, must be able to feel the pulse of the people and the nation and get close to them.

“It’s not about getting close to the big boys only but rather, the need to get in touch with the ordinary people,” he said.

A good leader must also treat his work as his passion and when he gives or makes promises, he must ensure that he delivers, he said.

He said there was nothing worse than delaying the implementation of the government transformation programmes, stimulus packages and other            projects.

“If you are a politician and you leave behind a trail of empty promises, then your days will be numbered,” he warned.

Najib also reminded the voters that they should not vote for someone who only knew how to speak.

“Vote a government that can secure your future and safeguard our nation,” he said.