Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak remained popular with ordinary Sarawakians today for his contributions to the development of the state, according to Batang Sadong MP Nancy Shukri (photo, above)
In urging Pakatan Harapan to not sideline Sarawak in its development plans, Nancy said Najib had during his time in power spent substantial time understanding the needs of people in the state.
“If you talk to ordinary Sarawakians, they want Najib back because he went to all the rural areas.
"I’m not trying to promote him, but he knew what Sarawak needed. He went to Sarawak more than 60 times and he tried to make things easier for us," said the former BN minister who spoke as a panellist at think-tank Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) forum in Kuala Lumpur.
Among others, Nancy said the BN administration had approved various small-scale infrastructure projects under its Budget 2018, but these were subsequently scrapped after Harapan took over in last year's GE14.
"We are very concerned about economic reforms.
"Whatever we are asking is very necessary and critical for us," she said, arguing that the government had subsequently announced other mega projects such as the proposed construction of an international airport in Kedah.
She added that Sarawak remains fortunate enough to have RM31 billion in untouched state reserves, although the federal government has a duty to assist in developing the state, taking into account its contributions to the country's overall development.
Touching on the government's failed bid to restore Sabah and Sarawak's status as equal partners, Nancy clarified that Sarawak MPs who abstained from the vote in parliament had done so after their request to defer tabling of the amendment Bill for further discussions was rejected.
"I want you all to know what we did. We did not simply reject the Bill.
"If you want to amend, don't do it in a piecemeal manner... You have to do it as a package," she said, adding that several other necessary amendments were needed aside from Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution.
She also claimed that the amendment bill was rushed as it was included among Harapan's 100 Day promise.
"They (Harapan) said they could not hold it (tabling) back but it's not the number of days that count, it is the essence of the law and how it will benefit Sarawakians," said Nancy.
An amendment to the Federal Constitution required a two-thirds majority support in parliament and Harapan was short of 10 votes to pass the bill at the policy stage.
This comes after 138 out of 222 MPs had voted for the bill and 59 lawmakers had abstained on April 9. - Mkini
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