Najib retraces footsteps to father's legacy

S'WAK POLLS Nearly 50 years ago on Nov 13, 1966, deputy prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein set foot on an evolving Iban village, Kampung Triboh, near Serian, to launch a rubber plantation project (Scheme B).

To mark the historic occasion, the residents renamed the village, 'Kampung Tun Razak' and erected a foundation stone to honour him.

Today, his eldest son and Malaysia's current prime minister retraces history, setting foot on the very soil where he had left his imprint.

Najib Abdul Razak was accompanied by Federal Human Resources Minister Richard Riot who is also Serian MP, and BN candidate for Bukit Semuja, John Ilus, during the visit.

Earlier upon arriving, the prime minister was led to where stood the special foundation stone commemorating his father's visit.

"Nov 13, 1966, a date that created history for Kampung Triboh, my father Tun Razak arrived in this village. Today it is his son's turn, history repeating itself.

"If Tun Razak had accomplished many things, then I too want to leave behind an imprint of my contributions and services to the people in Sarawak, especially for their genuine support for Barisan Nasional."

Najib said this at a gathering with the community at the village located within the Bukit Semuja constituency.

In his speech, the prime minister said BN as "one big family" and one solid team was committed to bringing continuous development and prosperity to the population in Sarawak.

"We share the same agenda which is to bring more changes and reforms to the people in the state.

“Therefore, it is crucial to maintain support for BN, to enable it to proceed with the implementation of projects for the benefit the people," he said.

As 'Apai Besai Malaysia' (number one leader), he urged the community "to continue supporting Apai Besai Sarawak, Tan Sri Adenan Satem" who he said, had evidently in just two years brought about various developments in the state.

"Apai Besai Malaysia will always support Apai Besai Sarawak by providing more allocation to develop Sarawak, compared to the opposition which only makes promises but do not fulfil them," he said.

Najib also approved a request by Kampung Triboh village chief, Albert Moni Igang, to upgrade Dewan Panglima Kalin, which is among the oldest community halls in Serian.

- Bernama