NAJIB HAPPY WITH MUSA’S LEADERSHIP

SANDAKAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is happy with the cooperation given by the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, to the federal government.

“Barisan Nasional has proven its capability not only as a political party but also as a government,” Najib said when officiating the joint opening of the Umno Zone 5 – Kinabatangan, Sandakan, Batu Sapi, Beluran and Libaran divisions – delegates meeting at Dewan Sri Libaran here yesterday.

He said one vital foundation of the success was the close working relation between the federal and state governments and he was thankful for having a Chief Minister like Musa who enhanced state-federal relations.

“Good state-federal relations have brought development to the state and any differences in views are always discussed to find solutions that serve the interest of the people of Sabah,” Najib who is Umno president said to a rousing applause from the more than 35,000 delegates and supporters attending the event.

He said that every time he came to Sabah he received an overwhelming welcome and was confident that they would cast their vote to BN when the time comes.

“Umno is strong in Sabah. If this is the picture, we will get resounding support from the people here,’’ he said and urged all partymen to work hard and not look at ethnicity as it would divide and weaken the party.

He said Umno succeeded in uniting everyone and because it chose leaders based on their ability to deliver and not because the person was a Bugis or Javanese or from any other ethnic background.

“We choose him as an Umno leader because of his qualities, we don’t care what ethnic group he belongs to,’’ he said, adding that such methods of divide and rule used by past colonial masters would only weaken the party.

“We must move forward as Umno,’’ he reminded members while urging them to uphold the principles of the party and to be prepared to sacrifice for the party.

“We don’t need selfish members who want to fill their pockets and protect their positions. These people can leave,’’ he said, adding leaders come and go but the party stayed.

Najib also strongly urged party workers to work with other BN components to ensure that Sabah remains as BN’s “Fixed Deposit State”.

The Prime Minister called on the people to give the Barisan Nasional another five years for it to enhance its development programmes under the Government Transformation Programme.

He said the opposition were just making promises on paper and they will not be able to deliver.

Meanwhile, the number 11 is playing in the Prime Minister’s mind as he gave a broad hint that elections could be held by year-end.

Though not coming right out with a clear indication, Najib said that this year was unique as his often mentioned favourite number – 11 – figured in many events marking the year.

He said Umno was 66 years old this year, Malaysia was marking its 55th year of Merdeka and Sabah Umno was 22 years old.

These numbers he noted, reflected 11 or are multiples of 11.

“Six times 11 equals 66, five times 11 equals 55 and 2 times 11 equals 22. The 11 factor appears in all – it is unique and good,’’ he told party members without spelling out if he was looking at a November date for the 13th General Election. (NST)