KENINGAU: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said transformation under the Barisan Nasional (BN) government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak had changed the lives of the people in the country.
“Such obvious change is the state BN government’s strong relationship with the federal government,” he said at the opening ceremony and handing over of 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BRIM 2.0) at the community hall here yesterday.
He said within three years, the Prime Minister had demonstrated the desire to bring changes for the better for the people in the state, including in Sarawak.
“I believe aid to youths aged above 21, and earning below RM2,000 was also included in the transformation under his leadership,” he said.
Pairin, who is also Minister for Infrastructure Development, said Najib’s administration was different from earlier ones where he had shown concern for the people living in the interior.
He said besides assistance to ease the burden of the people, the government was also looking at development in the rural areas so that progress would be comparable to the big cities that are further being developed.
“The BN government, through the new leadership, should be given strong support in order to continue the implementation of infrastructural facilities.”
The Keningau member of parliament described the opposition parties as only wanting to compete with each other (opposition) to demonstrate their abilities in the 13th general election.
He said they were incompatible and wanted to show that they are better than the present ruling BN government.
“They appear only on a seasonal basis when the elections are held,” he said.
Pairin hoped the people are not easily swayed by promises by the opposition and continue to give strong support to BN in the coming election.
He said the BN government would continue to give serious attention to development programs for the people of the state.
Earlier in his speech, District Officer Amat Mohd Yusof advised the recipients to disregard an SMS (Short Messaging Service) spread by certain people that made them rush to get the BR1M vouchers.
He said the BR1M payment would continue even if the registration was closed in mid-March.
A total of 4,942 youths above 21 are eligible to receive the RM250 BR1M 2.0. About 1,000 recipients were present at the event.
Pairin also presented RM250 vouchers to those who are over 21 years old at the event.