‘Securing two-thirds majority not a problem’

Diambi ari: Borneo Post Onlines

SIBU: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is confident that the Barisan Nasional will be able to secure at least a two-thirds majority in the 10th state election.

This is despite the record number of independent and opposition candidates contesting in the April 16 polls.

Taib said his confidence stemmed from the fact that the BN had an established pool of core supporters who would not gyrate to the beat of the opposition.

In fact, Taib pointed out, the huge number of candidates would make the opposition weak as their votes would be split.

“It is those floating voters that will normally try different candidates,” he told reporters when met after a meet-the-people session at Rumah Jelani Daud in Nanga Lesih of Bukong-Jagoi Road in Kanowit yesterday.

Taib admitted that he was a bit puzzled and surprised that 213 candidates had joined the fray for the 71 state seats.

“Anyway, this is a free country,” he said.

On PKR and SNAP resorting to using outsiders or “parachute” candidates, Taib replied that he would not be surprised “if they end up in the bush.”

“On the part of the BN, if we want to use quality outside candidate, we
will do so with the consent and full support of the locals.”

Earlier in his speech, Taib said the state BN’s brand of politics was all about bringing development and progress to the people.

“We do not believe in spreading lies and slanders and making personal attacks like what the opposition leaders are doing.”

For example, he said, allegations of land grab were all baseless because the government always compensate the landowners if their property were acquired for development purposes.

Taking a swipe at opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he said he was not fit to be a leader because of his personal behaviour.

Meanwhile, the BN candidate for Machan, Datuk Gramong Juna, who spoke earlier, said RM32 million had been set aside for a water treatment project for the area.

“At the moment the consultants are still on the ground conducting various surveys. We expect this project to begin in May,” he said.

On another matter, Gramong ridiculed the opposition for resorting to use foreign plantation workers to carry their party flags during nomination on Wednesday.

Also present at the function were Taib’s wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, his daughter Hanifah Taib and Gramong’s wife Datin Catherine Gramong.

Note: Ila kitai sama meda amat ke enda project ke nelan belanja RM32 millions nya nyadi.