DPM: Vote for opposition equals less devt, no representation

The Borneo Post

Posted on April 15, 2011, Friday

KNOWING THEIR PROBLEM: Muhyiddin (right) looking at a memorandum given to him by a group of people at the function. Looking on is Martin (second right).

SERIAN: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday called on the Bidayuh community not to make a mistake by letting the opposition win in their areas this election. The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that such mistake could lead to lack of development and not being represented in the government. As campaigning heats up with polling just a day away, he was concerned that the opposition’s persuasive and emotional style of campaigning will influence the voters not to vote for BN.

“We all have emotions, but do not let your emotions influence which side you want to vote… Choose the current government which has been able to take care of Sarawak,” he said during a ‘Meet-the-People’ session at Bunan Gega, 45 kilometres from here yesterday. Also present were Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin, who is Tebedu incumbent, and BN Kedup candidate Martin Ben.

Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, also took a swipe at the opposition especially Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Democratic Action Party (DAP). Labelling PKR as ‘Parti Kian Runtuh’ (Crumbling Party), he said many had left it because it does not even practise justice in the party, which was evident during the recent party elections.

As for DAP, he claimed that the party is the most racist and chauvinistic of parties. Because of this, he said BN is still the most suitable coalition to govern Sarawak due to its uniqueness and sheer size. “The opposition has no experience in governing Sarawak. Even their chosen candidate as chief minister has lost in many elections,” he said.

During his speech, he revealed that RM86.8 million has been approved for various projects in Kedup under the 10th Malaysia Plan. He also did his campaigning bit for Martin, by saying that Martin is the best person to represent Kedup in the government.

“He is handsome, but what is important is that he is young and an educated person,” he said. On his overall outlook on Sarawak, he said BN is still strong in most areas of the state. “I see this state election as very important to make sure BN stays in power so that Sarawak can continue to progress and develop on par with other developed states,” he said. Manyin, in his speech, also called on the people to reject PKR which he labelled as ‘Parti Kinabus Rakyat’ (A party that gives hardship).

Also happening concurrently during the function was a corporate social responsibility programme by Telekom Malaysia which presented 280 backpacks to 280 pupils from SK St Jude Bunan.