Unprecedented joint Sarawak visit by PM, DPM

In what is seen as an unprecedented gesture, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, will embark on a joint visit to Sarawak on Saturday, the first destination of his nationwide meet-the-people tour.

It is the culmination of several visits by the prime minister since last year, often traversing the length and breath of this vast state by hopping on a helicopter to “feel the pulse of the people” in the deep interior where scattered rural settlements and longhouses are a common feature.

For the majority of Sarawakians, the 1 Malaysia spirit has been a well-tested concept for generations but the two national leaders’ forthcoming visit this time around surely shows their commitment towards the practice of “People First, Performance Now”.

With Sarawak’s 10th state election just around the corner, their scheduled visits will certainly bring a “feel-good” feeling among the people who still want to be reassured of the government’s continuous socio-economic development policies and political stability.

For a start, Najib(picture) and Muhyiddin are expected to jointly attend the launch of the Sejiwa Senada programme for the Samarahan division in Serian, about 65km from here, and later proceed together for a “tinjauan mesra” (walkabout) at the town, followed by a lunch at the Serian Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) stall.

About 500,000 people are expected to visit the information and service stalls being set up under the state-wide programme which serves as a platform for the government to meet with the people on the dissemination of innovative and creative initiatives, including enhancement in the public service delivery system, in line with the 1 Malaysia concept.

Earlier in the day, Najib will meet with his Facebook friends for the first time during the Mari Berjumpa, Mari Berhubung (Let’s Meet, Let’s Communicate) session at the old State Legislative complex in Petra Jaya here.

In an immediate response to his invitation, Sarinah Abdullah, one of his friends on the social networking site, said she had always wanted to meet the prime minister but never had the chance. Another Facebook friend, Kamsiah Saufi, wanted to know if the visit was a sign of an impending election.

The prime minister, who will be accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor,

is also scheduled to mingle with locals during the “tinjauan mesra” and meet-the-people session at Kampung Semera, Sadong Jaya in Samarahan.

Urban residents will engage likewise when a similar session is held later in the afternoon at the precinct of the Kenyalang Park wet market here.

At present, Kenyalang Park residents are among those who have benefited from the recent review of the land lease renewal premium, arguably the lowest rate in the country.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin, who will be accompanied by his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman, is also expected to meet up with senior education officers at a local hotel here in his capacity as education minister.

In other separate events, he will hold a meet-the-people session at Rumah Wilson Bada, an Iban longhouse in Gran Stumbin, Sri Aman division.

He will then proceed for a walkabout to the Skrang Scheme in Engkilili, Sri Aman, about four hours’ drive from here.

Currently, the Skrang Scheme is being developed for an oil palm plantation under the Native Customary Rights land initiative. — Bernama