Najib Tun Razak said today that he and Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud know the right time for a leadership change in the state.     

The prime minister said that he and Taib had "a very good understanding" of when to make an announcement on the change.   

"I know he is ready. When the time comes, he is ready to leave the stage and we have a very good understanding when it is going to happen," he said at his Senada Sejiwa (One Soul, One Beat) programme featuring services provided  by federal and state agencies.     

Najib said that there was no call for pressure to effect the change because a smooth transition was of prior importance.     

"Do not clamour (for change) but follow the tradition (of transition) that is good in our country for what is important is for the succession to be smooth and orderly so that the new leadership can bring Sarawak to a higher level still," he said.

A smooth transition, Najib said, would enable the federal government to help Sarawak to achieve greater development.     

He claimed the people had always accepted this approach to succession, saying the opposition wanted radical change through street demonstrations or even riots.     

He said the rapid development that had been taking place in Sarawak since he became prime minister two years ago was very much due to the good federal-state relationship.     

"The chief minister himself had admitted that never before had Sarawak enjoyed such a big amount of allocation and we did it not just because of the election but, most important, also because we want to ensure the well-being of the people," Najib said.     

- Bernama

 

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