'New parties not a threat to S'wak BN'

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:15


By Free malaysia today
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak Barisan Nasional is not perturbed by the emergence of new parties, including the one formed by disgruntled former members of Chief Minister Taib Mahmud's Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB). PBB senior vice-president Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said the people will not fall into their political trap.

“The rakyat are smart… they can see through the selfish motives of these parties, which only come into existence when an election is around the corner.

“These groups are attempting to drive a wedge between the rakyat and the government,” he said when asked to comment on Saturday’s launch of Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB).

Awang Tengah said although the government was unperturbed by the new parties, he, however, urged the public to be wary of the statements that the opposition make.

No tsunami on this side

“Our advice to the rakyat is, don't be easily swayed by these political parties. They will do whatever it takes to persuade the rakyat to go against the BN government.

“But I am convinced they won’t succeed. The current government has proven its capability in bringing development to the rakyat,” he said.

“We will defend our party’s struggles to continue the government’s development agenda,” he said, adding that he hoped the rakyat will be bold enough to rebut the opposition's baseless allegations.

While admitting that the March 2008 political tsunami in the Peninsula had a slight effect on Sarawak, he, however, “strongly believed that the rakyat in this state will not be easily influenced”.

Meanwhile in Miri, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president George Chan directed party members to “win all seats” in the coming state election.

“Prepare for a clean sweep,” he said, stressing the importance of teamwork at all levels.

He urged SUPP members to view the party's shocking defeats in the recent Sibu by-election and the 2006 state election in a positive light.

“The defeats helped us re-look our system. It has made our party more politically mature,” he said.

Both PBB and SUPP are key political partners in the Sarawak BN.