‘PR not qualified to call for shift’

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1MALAYSIA NIGHT: A section of the crowd at the 1Malaysia Night Gathering for Youths at Padang Merdeka in Kuching last night with some cheering and waving 1Malaysia and BN flags. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last night lashed out at the opposition for its ‘vote for change’ tagline.

Wrapping up his day’s tour of the state at the ‘1Malaysia Night Gathering for Youths’ at Padang Merdeka here, the national Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman said he noted that the opposition pact always harped on ‘change’ with the hope that people would change the government of the day.

He said: “Do not change for the sake of change but change for the better.”

Najib, who is also Prime Minister, pointed out that the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is not qualified to call for ‘change for the better’ because the coalition is now crumbling down with senior members quitting and components, especially in Sarawak, quarrelling over seats.

He pointed out that the opposition’s call for change does not necessarily bring a good change for the betterment of the people.

He then compared BN to Pakatan.

He said as far as the BN government was concerned, it would ensure that Sarawak would be further developed as by 2012, a sum to the tune of RM5.7 billion would have been spent for various projects under the National Key Result Areas (NKRA) programme.

These projects, he said, cover roads, water and electricity supplies and bridges among others.

The Armed Forces, under its Jiwa Murni programme, would further assist the state in development, he pointed out, saying more development and progress are the real change that the people want.

On top of that, Sarawak has progressed and prospered within Malaysia for almost 48 years, he added.

He thus called on the people not to waste their votes just for the sake of change but rather vote for further development and progress this April 16.

Najib also said he visited every nook and corner of the state to see what needed to be done as he cared for the people.

He said he would not get tired of talking to the people from all strata of society.

Yesterday, he visited places like Saratok, Spaoh, Beladin and Sri Aman, he said.

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud also spoke at the gathering which saw the attendance of Minister of Housing and Urban Development Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Fadillah Yusuf, who is also the state BN youth leader.

Taib, in his speech, said he wanted to see federal and state relationship be enhanced for the sake of development and prosperity of the people.

He also urged the people not to entertain or listen to the provocation and instigation of the opposition parties who are just out to topple BN.

Taib, also state BN chairman, said after 48 years of progress within Malaysia, Sarawakians are very matured in politics and are not easily swayed by the opposition’s sweet talks.

He said the multi-racial and multi-cultured Sarawakians are also a harmonious lot, thus they are not impressed by the strange culture brought about by the opposition parties from west Malaysia.