Najib wants Taib to continue as CM
Sarawak’s future brighter under Taib as he has yet to exploit its resources to take the state forward, says prime minister.
Joseph Tawie, FMT
KUCHING: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak yesterday made it very clear that he wants Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud to continue to lead the Sarawak state government.
“Sarawak has tremendous potential to become a developed state. It has yet to exploit its resources. What you need is someone like Taib so that Sarawak will enjoy a brighter future.
“What you need is a BN state government under his leadership,” Najib told a crowd of about 10,000 at a Chap Goh Meh dinner at MJC Batu Kawah, in Kuching last night.
“We will work closely with the state government, my promise and my commitment is that when Malaysia becomes fully develop, Sarawak will also become fully develop,” he said.
His endorsement of Taib to lead the state comes in the wake of speculation that the Chief Minister may be pressured by the BN leadership to step down before the general election.
Taib marks his 32nd year as Chief Minister on March 26 and has been blamed for the loss of 13 Chinese majority seats in the last state election and one parliamentary seat in a by-election.
Taib had promised to step down several times but until now there is no sign of him doing so.
There are still some who want the prime minister to pressure Taib to step down as they fear his continued leadership would affect SUPP’s performance in the coming election.
SUPP which has been allocated seven parliamentary seats is in danger of losing six – Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Sarikei, Sibu, Lanang and Miri to the opposition.
Bandar Kuching and Sibu are being held by DAP.
Najib: We will help the Chinese
Najib made no mention about Taib stepping down. Instead he wants him to continue to lead because he feels Taib can deliver at least 20 of 31 parliamentary seats to the BN coalition.
He reminded SUPP leaders that they must be united and put aside their personal differences especially as the coming general election would be a litmus test for the party.
