GE13: Najib optimistic about chance

Encouraging support: People from Kampung Semeba and Kampung Haji Baki giving a rousing cheer to Najib as he delivers his speech.

KUCHING: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is optimistic of Barisan Nasional’s chances in Sarawak.

His optimism stems from what he calls “angin di Sarawak sedang bertiup ke arah Barisan Nasional (literally, the wind in Sarawak is blowing towards Barisan Nasional)".

Najib, who is national Barisan chairman, said although he felt tired after a hectic campaign schedule over the last few days, he was very happy when he arrived in Sarawak because the peoples’ mood towards Barisan was very good.

“I believe the people are happy with Barisan’s performance and have high confidence in the Barisan government. The people in Sarawak are aware that over the last four years the Barisan team and the Government led by me had striven to bring about a comprehensive transformation, which was never tried before,” he said at a Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat gathering at Kampung Semaba here yesterday.

He also called on the electorate in Sarawak to reject Pakatan Rakyat’s reformation agenda and support Barisan’s.

He said Barisan’s transformation agenda was much better than Pakatan’s which only wanted to send their leaders to Putrajaya and propagate street demonstrations.

“Barisan’s transformation programme will make Malaysia a developed nation by 2020. Our transformation programme is not only about big figures, big projects, big businesses and big investments, but will also have positive impact on ordinary people. We are talking about transformation that will generate something beneficial for all Malaysians,” he said.

On the candidacy of SUPP’s Yong Khoon Seng, Najib confessed that he had persuaded the veteran politician to withdraw his decision to retire.

“I persuaded him to defend Stampin. I will not forget Yong and the people in Stampin. If Yong wins I will consider something for him, which will also be good for you all — later,” he said.-the star online

GE13: Opposition confident of winning 12 out of 31 seats come May 5

SIBU: The target set by the Opposition to win 12 seats out of 31 contested in Sarawak in the 13th general election is not far-fetched.

DAP Sarawak chairman Wong Ho Leng believes this is achievable, adding that the confidence stems from the Ubah (change) spirit that is happening now. Speaking at a press conference here yesterday, he said of the 12 seats, two would be bagged by SWP.

“I am saying this as a neutral person and this outlook is based on information from a political analyst and also from various sources. This is not impossible. Pakatan Rakyat targets 10 seats while the other two will come from SWP,” he said.

The seats, Wong revealed, were Bandar Ku-ching, Stampin, Lanang, Sarikei, Bintulu, Kanowit, Selangau, Baram, Julau, Saratok and Lubok Antu.

The former Sibu MP, however, is not defending this constituency due to his illness.

Adding on, Wong said the Opposition would also stand a chance to win Sibu as well as Limbang, Mas Gading and Mambong, which Barisan had classified as “dark and gray areas”.

Elaborating on the Sibu seat, he noted that Barisan had rated their chances of winning at 52% to 48% while DAP’s rating was 55% to 45%.

“We are not too worried about this rating as we are looking at 51% in favour of DAP. Just like in the 2010 by-election, we started off with a rating of 45% but on polling day we won with a 51% majority,” he added.

In the by-election, Wong won by a slim margin of 398 votes against SUPP’s Robert Lau and independent candidate Narawi Haron. Having said that, he said the DAP would turn to its candidate Oscar Ling to work very hard to win this seat. Ling is involved in a three-cornered fight with SUPP’s Vincent Lau and Narawi in the polls.

Wong’s claims seemed to be at odds with the statement made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here on Saturday night in which he said the opposition’s initial target of winning 14 seats which was later scaled down to 10, was just a “dream” and the people should not be fooled by it.

Separately, Wong said Pakatan Rakyat hoped that SWP would join the Opposition after the elections. “As it seems that SWP is contesting as an opposition now, we hope they would be with us after the polls. We will discuss this after the elections,” he added-thestar online

Pakatan has better policy for schools — Chong

KUCHING: DAP candidate for Bandar Kuching Chong Chieng Jen has labelled BN’s on-off allocation to Chinese schools as ‘bait for votes’.

He told a press conference here yesterday that the allocations were seasonal in nature, depending on when an election would be held.

Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong claimed that mission schools in the state also faced the same fate.

“We (Pakatan Rakyat) have an alternative policy whereby the government will give allocation to all national, Chinese and vernacular schools at a rate of RM300 per student per year.

“This represents funds for maintenance of school buildings and equipment. We will give fair treatment to all schools. With our policy, school boards of management don’t have to beg for money from the government.”

On a related matter, Chong called for the setting up of another Chinese school in Stutong as Chung Hua Primary School No. 2 can’t meet demand.

“Each year, there are only about 300 vacancies for Year One (at Chung Hua Primary School No. 2) but there are about 500 applications. That means 40 per cent of the parents and pupils who wish to study in the school will be disappointed.”

“In fact, what we need is to have Chung Hua Primary School No 7 and 8.”

During the press conference, Chong launched the party’s third edition of its pamphlet which highlighted the consequences if BN were to implement Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the worsening security situation in the state.

Also present at the press conference was DAP Stampin candidate Julian Tan.-theborneopost

Impossible to build Pan Borneo highway in five years, Chong told

KUCHING: BN-SUPP candidate for Bandar Kuching Tan Kai has advised his opponent Chong Chieng Jen from DAP to stop being ridiculous by telling voters that Pakatan Rakyat can complete the Pan Borneo highway in five years.

He said Chong should do his homework before making further claims like Pakatan would engage 80 contractors to complete the 2,500km highway. “I do not think YB Chong knows the construction industry here. You have to find 80 contractors, which is not so easy. Even if you can find 80 contractors, where do you get the construction materials like gravels and stones within a short period of time?

“You also need to think whether contractors here have sufficient machinery. Chong may say they can bring in contractors from west Malaysia, but we want the project for Sarawak contractors,” he told a press conference at the SUPP headquarters here yesterday.

Tan, who is also SUPP Youth chief, insisted that there was no way Pakatan could complete the highway within the next five years.

“Talking is very easy. Do not try to fool me as I am an engineer.”

On BN’s manifesto, he said they committed to “building a 2,300km Pan Borneo Highway stretching from Sematan, Sarawak to Serudung, Sabah in the next five years, and not completing.

“We only commit to building, but they promised to complete the highway in the next five years, which is ridiculous.”

Tan, also an MBKS councillor, stressed that a highway project should not be deemed as simple as a grass-cutting job.

“A highway construction is not like cutting grass in MBKS areas where the council can divide into zones to engage many contractors to deliver the job.”-theborneopost

Taib mahu semua kawasan membangun sebelum bersara

MARUDI: Ketua Menteri Pehin Seri Abdul Taib Mahmud akan memastikan pembangunan di seluruh Sarawak tercapai sebelum beliau mengundur diri daripada arena politik.

Menurutnya, ada beberapa kawasan yang masih beliau kenal pasti belum dilanda arus pembangunan hebat dan ketara.

“Sebelum saya bersara, saya mahu beberapa kawasan khususnya di luar bandar dan pedalaman dibangunkan terlebih dahulu,” katanya pada Majlis Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat di Dataran Marudi, di sini semalam.

Turut hadir Menteri Muda Kemudahan Awam Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, Menteri Muda Pembangunan Komuniti Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, Ahli Dewan Negara Senator Lihan Jok, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Telang Usan Dennis Ngau, calon BN Parlimen Baram Anyi Ngau dan Residen Bahagian Miri Antonio Kahti Galis.

Seperti kawasan Baram, beliau memberitahu pembangunan tidak dapat hanya bergantung kepada sektor pembalakan dan pertanian.

Sebaliknya, satu perancangan lebih besar harus dilaksanakan untuk membawa perubahan kepada wajah kawasan berkenaan daripada aspek ekonomi dan pembangunan.

“Jika kita bergantung kepada pembalakan dan pertanian sahaja, semuanya masih tidak cukup untuk menampung kos membawa pembangunan secara keseluruhan,” jelasnya.

Oleh itu, beliau mempunyai pelan terperinci melalui kewujudan Bandar Baharu Telang Usan yang difikirkannya pakej terbaik untuk masa depan dan pembangunan Baram.

Melalui bandar baharu berkenaan, lebih banyak aktiviti ekonomi yang bakal tumbuh serta memberikan lebih manfaat kepada rakyat di seluruh kawasan itu.

Taib turut memberitahu bahawa beliau atau kerajaan sama sekali tidak berniat mahu menindas atau merampas hak rakyat, sebaliknya ingin melihat rakyat hidup lebih senang.

“Begitu juga dengan Koridor Tenaga Diperbaharui Sarawak (SCORE) yang turut berfungsi sebagai ejen pertumbuhan ekonomi dan pembangunan bagi negeri ini.

“Selain pembangunan, pelbagai perancangan tersebut juga memfokuskan kepada hala tuju negara iaitu ke arah rakyat berpendapatan tinggi,” katanya.-theborneopost

Mustahil mengubah negara dalam sekelip mata

TUMPUAN: Najib disambut meriah sebaik tiba pada Majlis Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat di Pusat Komersil Kampung Datu Lama di Sibu, malam kelmarin.

SIBU: Slogan ‘Jom Ubah’ yang digunakan pembangkang seolah-olah mereka mahu mengubah negara ini dengan sekelip mata dan agak mustahil untuk mengubah negara yang telah diperintah kerajaan BN sejak sekian lama, kata Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“Kerajaan BN tidak memerlukan perubahan yang dilakukan oleh pihak pembangkang kerana BN sendiri boleh melakukan perubahan.

“Lihatlah negara ini sejak sekian lama ditadbir oleh BN membolehkan rakyat hidup maju, negara aman dan makmur, rakyat berpendapatan tinggi, ekonomi meningkat, pendidikan cukup serta banyak lagi pembangunan dan kemajuan dilaksanakan oleh BN yang dapat kita lihat sekarang.

“Jadi apakah perubahan yang mahu dibuat oleh Pakatan Rakyat (PR) yang sering melaung-laungkan slogan mereka dan tidak cukupkah apa yang telah kerajaan BN buat selama ini,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap di hadapan hampir 10,000 hadirin pada Majlis Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat di Pusat Komersil Kampung Datu Lama di sini, malam kelmarin.

Hadir sama isterinya Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Menteri Kewangan Kedua Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Menteri Muda di Pejabat Ketua Menteri Datu Len Talif Salleh, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Nangka Dr Annuar Rapaee, calon BN Parlimen Sibu Vincent Lau dan calon BN Parlimen Lanang Datuk Tiong Thai King.

Najib yang juga pengerusi BN menegaskan bahawa perubahan boleh dilakukan sama ada secara radikal atau membenarkan kerajaan sedia ada melakukan perubahan.

“Jangan sesuka hati menyebut perubahan atau membawa rakyat melakukan perubahan pada pilihan raya ini, kerana perubahan membawa maksud yang luas dan banyak perkara yang perlu dikaji,” katanya.

Sementara itu, beliau menyifatkan pembangkang tidak berupaya membentuk kerajaan yang stabil dan berjaya kerana PR tidak dibentuk atas persefahaman sesama sendiri.

Jelasnya, banyak perbezaan ideologi antara PR yang terdiri daripada Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP) dan Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) dan kini parti itu tidak sepakat dan boleh menyebabkan ketidakstabilan negara jika diberi mandat mentadbir.

“Dengan DAP dan PAS terus bertelagah dalam isu hudud serta pertembungan sesama sendiri calon PAS dan PKR pada pilihan raya ini, kita yakin Pakatan yang tidak sepakat akan terus berbalah jika diberi peluang membentuk kerajaan,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, beliau mengingatkan rakyat supaya tidak tertipu dengan manifesto pakatan pembangkang kerana sebagai Menteri Kewangan, beliau mempunyai cukup maklumat bahawa apa yang dijanjikan pembangkang hanyalah janji palsu yang tidak mampu ditunaikan semudah seperti yang dilaungkan.

“Bukan senang nak turunkan harga minyak, turunkan tol atau hapuskan Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN), ia tidak semudah itu, banyak aspek yang perlu diambil kira.

“Anda tidak boleh menurunkan (harga) semua benda dalam satu masa dan yang penting rakyat kena tahu pakatan pembangkang hanya tahu berjanji, tetapi kerajaan BN sebenarnya sudah melaksanakan sebahagian daripada apa yang dijanjikan mereka,” jelasnya.

Sehubungan itu, Najib mahu rakyat Sibu dan Lanang serta seluruh Sarawak bangkit menunjukkan kepada pembangkang bahawa rakyat tidak mudah terpengaruh dan ikut sama bermimpi seperti yang mereka impikan.

“Dahulu kita tewas tipis di Sibu, tetapi kini perubahan telah berlaku di mana rakyat kini kembali untuk memberi sokongan kepada calon BN.

“Sebagai pengerusi BN, saya akan melakukan yang terbaik untuk masyarakat Sibu dan Lanang dan saya boleh bekerja rapat dengan dua calon saya ini (Vincent Lau dan Datuk Tiong Thai King) membangunkan kedua-dua kawasan serta Sarawak keseluruhannya.-theborneopost

PR lancar perang psikologi untuk takutkan pengundi

MESRA: Wan Junaidi bersalaman dengan belia semasa kunjungan ke Kampung Santubong.

Dakwaan Azmin bahawa PR telah menguasai 125 kerusi Parlimen di seluruh negara adalah tidak tepat: Wan Junaidi

KUCHING: Dakwaan Timbalan Presiden Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Azmin Ali yang mengata-kan Pakatan Rakyat (PR) telah menguasai 125 kerusi Parlimen di seluruh negara merupakan perang psikologi untuk menakut-nakutkan pengundi.

Calon Barisan Nasional (BN) Parlimen Santubong Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar berkata apa yang didakwa Azmin itu adalah tidak tepat kerana mereka juga banyak membuat dakwaan lain.

Menurutnya, pada 16 September 2008, PKR mendakwa beberapa wakil rakyat BN menyertai mereka namun ia tidak berlaku.

“Dia (Azmin) sebenarnya main perang psikologi dengan mengatakan mereka menang dan hampir sampai ke Putrajaya.

“Ia merupakan taktik pembangkang untuk menakut-nakutkan pengundi,” katanya kepada pemberita semasa Program Belia Bermotosikal Belia 12 di Kampung Santubong semalam.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas mengenai dakwaan Azmin Ali bahawa PR telah menguasai 125 kerusi Parlimen di seluruh negara.

Azmin dipetik sebagai berkata, jangkaan itu dinilai berdasarkan sambutan orang ramai terhadap ceramah yang diadakan PKR, DAP dan PAS.

Wan Junaidi yang juga penyandang kerusi Parlimen Santubong untuk dua penggal menjelaskan, sebenarnya PR amat terdesak sehingga sanggup melakukan pelbagai helah untuk menawan Putrajaya.

Menurutnya PR mungkin membuat dakwaan sedemikian tetapi BN juga berkeyakinan mampu menang dengan majoriti dua pertiga pada Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-13 (PRU13).

“Saya yakin usaha yang dilaksanakan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak termasuk membawa perubahan menunjukkan BN amat berjaya sekali dalam mentadbir negara.

“Masyarakat yang berfikiran matang akan memberi sokongan padu kepada BN,” ujarnya.

Dalam pada itu, Wan Ju-naidi merancang mewujudkan lebih banyak gelanggang petanque di Parlimen Santubong dalam usaha mempromosi dan mempopularkan sukan itu.

“Kita boleh lihat Kampung Santubong merupakan tumpuan masyarakat untuk bermain petanque.

“Pada masa sama kehadiran ramai orang untuk bermain sukan ini (petanque) dapat memperkasa sektor pelancongan di kawasan ini yang mempunyai banyak produk pelancongan,” jelasnya.- theborneopost