Sabah to stay BN stronghold: CM

Penampang: Sabah will remain as the stronghold of Barisan Nasional (BN) because the multi-racial and religious Malaysians in the State are strongly united, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Speaking to at the Gelombang Biru (Blue Wave) assembly and launching of the BN election machinery at Hongkod Koisaan here, Thursday, he also urged the people not to experiment by choosing the opposition on May 5, Polling Day.

"It will not only be risky but also dangerous," he said, adding that earlier his BN component colleagues had also spoken on the importance of maintaining unity and giving the mandate once again to the BN.

"Why BN? My colleagues have mentioned that we have a good government, the best Prime Minister, good development programmes, the best manifesto.

"What else do we want? This is what we are looking for? We have achieved success in the past but we are not satisfied at that only so we need to have continuity for the BN so that the people will get appropriate attention," he said.

Musa who is Sabah BN Chairman, also called on those not nominated as candidate this time around to persevere and hold on to the BN camaraderie and solidarity spirit by supporting all the BN candidates.

"I know many want to become candidate but what can we do there are only this many seats. Today might not be your day, but we must continue to support the BN and ensure victory for whoever is the candidate.

"If we are strong and united we can request for anything," he said.

To the BN election machinery, he said they had worked hard for so many years and it was now only one more month for them to continue putting in the effort.

"On May 5 we must ensure that the people will vote for the BN. We have done this before so there is no reason that we cannot do it again in the 13th General Election," he said to cheers from the more than 10,000 people in the hall.

Earlier, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) President Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the people have no other choice but to support BN under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman for bringing so much development.

"We must ensure that the fixed deposit remain in BN," he said.

"We need to hold steadfast to our belief on the BN. The Prime Minister is willing to go down the ground and consider all of our requests.

"Najib is the only Prime Minister who was concerned with the illegal immigrant issue in Sabah and agreed to set up the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on illegal immigrants in Sabah.

"Another aspect is security and we have long requested that security in Sabah is beefed up É but it couldn't be done with the excuse Sabah's coastal line too long.

"But in the recent Lahad Datu incident, we have seen the Federal Government not only beefing up security but also set up the East Sabah Safety Zone (Esszon) with immediate effect showing the Prime Minister's utmost concerned to Sabah," he said.

Pairin said it was also important that while waiting for the announcement of the candidate list for Sabah BN for everyone to listen to the advice of the leaders.

"Even though we have many winnable candidates, we only can field one candidate for the state and parliamentary seat.

"Therefore it is important for us to be united and heed the decision of the leadership so that we can win a landslide victory whoever is the candidate," he said.

He believed the Prime Minister would never renegade from his pledges in the BN manifesto.

Liberal Democratic Party Datuk V K Liew said tonight's event had sparked the fire among the people to defend BN and Putrajaya.

"The opposition often said they want to change but to change for what.

It means changing the leadership. Do we want to change our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak?" he asked.

"The opposition is also fighting who should be the Prime Minister in the event they conquered Putrajaya," he said.

"Even in Sabah the opposition are squabbling among themselves who should be their leader. Therefore is none other qualified to lead the state other than Musa.

"We can see so much development in Sabah through the BN Government under the leadership of Musa," he said.

United Pasok Momogun Kadazanmurut Organisation (Upko) President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said the spirit of the Blue Wave shown had further strengthened his confidence that BN would be able to win when Malaysians go to the poll on May 5.

"That is why I am placing high hope on the Prime Minister to continue bringing the country to a higher pedestal with his transformation programme.

He said Prime Minister and colleagues in the BN had also addressed the Lahad Datu intrusion efficiently.

The Prime Minister we have today is among the best in the world the profile of Malaysia is increasing and he has been doing good things so that we have been proud being Malaysian," he said.

Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup said the party is prepared to ensure victory for the BN.

"PBRS would deliver the seats that have been entrusted to the party.

Not just a mere win but a landslide victory against any opposition," he said, adding that Sabah is on the right track towards achieving greater development in the future therefore the people must continue to give solid support to the BN.

"The people need to look at the party which really work for the people and proven track record," he said.

Sabah MIC Chief, Datuk V Jothi urged the people to rally behind the BN, which he said able to take care the welfare of the various religion and races in the country.

Sabah Gerakan Chief, Datuk Gordon Leong said Sabah would continue to receive an overflow of benefit as long as it remained, as fixed-deposit for the BN.

Sabah MCA Chief, Datuk Edward Khoo said the election this time is the most challenging so the people should not fall into the opposition's trap of populist ideology which he said only to give feel-good feeling to the people.

"The important thing is we must have unity because it will bring success and victory," he said, adding the people must support BN candidates irrespective of the component party they represented.

Later, Musa together with other state leaders presented Sabah BN contribution RM10,000 each to 10 charity organisations.

Source : Daily Express