Nothing wrong with GPS’ BN past, says PBB veep

 

PBB vice-president Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says he sees no problem in linking Gabungan Parti Sarawak to the previous state Barisan Nasional.

ASAJAYA: There is nothing wrong with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) being tied to its Barisan Nasional (BN) past, says a leader of GPS lynchpin Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

Responding to claims by opposition leaders that GPS is a carbon copy of Sarawak BN, PBB vice-president Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the reality is Sarawakians still appreciate BN.

“When Najib Razak was the prime minister, he visited Sarawak more than 50 times. People in West Malaysia voted BN out because of other issues, like 1MDB and corruption.

“BN as a party is good. I don’t see any problem. The opposition is just trying to run us down.

“As far as we are concerned, the people are happy we can deliver, whether we use BN or GPS as our vehicle,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after a ceramah at Kampung Tambey, Karim acknowledged opposition criticisms on the poor condition of roads in the area but said this is a result of the rapid development in Asajaya.

“In the past, you would need to travel an hour and a half by road to get here, now it takes just 20 minutes,” he said.

He said the construction of the bridge crossing Sungai Samarahan five years ago has led to an increase in land value and accelerated the local economy.

“We cannot run from this (damaged roads). When we develop the area, there will be many heavy vehicles using the road,” he said, adding the roads will be repaired.

Karim, who is the former state tourism, youth and sports minister, also said he hoped the people of Kampung Tambey will not seek to make a quick buck by selling their land instead of developing it. - FMT