PM to Chinese: Revolt and you risk fewer gov't reps

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today urged Chinese voters in Sarawak to vote wisely or risk losing representation in the state government.

To do so, he said, the Chinese voters must not be deceived by DAP's ploy in saying that a vote for SUPP equals voting for long-term Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud's continued rule.

“A government must represent all races, so the Chinese must vote for (a party) that can represent them in government.

“I hope the Chinese voters will not swallow (DAP's) political ploy, which is only meant to garner votes,” he told a press conference in Kuching when asked about Pakatan Rakyat's strategy in using Abdul Taib as ammunition.

Najib, who toured Santubong today, said his visit to Chinese-majority area Padungan led him to believe that “there is still work to be done (by BN)”.

“The sentiments there are different, but they must think rationally.

“The important thing is to maintain political stability and cooperation between federal and state government, so that... development will hasten in Sarawak,” he said, adding that this, too, could benefit the Chinese.

'1Malaysia flags only?'

The prime minister's visit earlier today to the hotspot Chinese-majority Padungan as his first destination in his one-day visit gave BN's Sarawak election campaign its first big boost.

Hitting the campaign trail in a walkabout in the area previously won by PKR, Najib and his sizeable entourage of at least five bodyguards had tried to shake hands with shopowners along the Padungan market street.

However, his visit, which was accompanied by about 150 spirited members of the 1Malaysia NGO and at least 50 press photographers, appeared to be more a media show than an opportunity to meet the people.

While most of the shopowners appeared happy to spend a few seconds with the nation's most powerful man, Najib was told off by one man for bringing only 1Malaysia flags for the visit.

"Why are you only giving us this? We want money. It's election time, you often give us money during election time," he said leading to awkward chuckles from the premier who was quickly ushered away.

The visit, which included a quick stop at a low-cost flats locality where an estimated 80 percent of the residents are Chinese, turned more colourful when Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng pushed through the crowd to say hello.

The CM could not get a word in as Najib's supporters chanted '1Malaysia' loudly at the sight of the DAP secretary-general.

"I was in the area, so as a sign of respect I came to greet the prime minister.

"But we only got to shake hands and say a few words before we were disrupted by the chanting," said a smiling Lim.

Lim was later seen having a light moment with the mostly middle-aged women from the 1Malaysia NGO crowd who asked him if it was true that he gives RM100 to senior citizens in Penang.

Padungan is contested by DAP, BN and former incumbent and now Independent candidate Dominique Ng.

Message clear at Santubong

While his visit to Padungan was more touch-and-go, Najib made his message clear at SMK Santubong, located in the shadows of the Santubong mountain in the Malay-Melanau majority Pantai Damai.

"The opposition party has no proven ability to bring our country to progress. (PKR's) own party polls were in disarray, with chairs thrown in the air...how can they then expect to govern a state?" he asked the 300-odd people, including schoolchildren, in the audience.

Najib, who also announced a federal allocation of RM3 million to build a mosque in the area, added that even once celebrated former de facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim had left PKR, citing cheating and corruption.

Pantai Damai will also be included in the second rolling plan of the 10 ^th Malaysia Plan in order to address beach erosion issues there, he said to approving hoots from the audience.

Najib was later surrounded by many who wanted him to sign their complimentary copies of a 109-page comic book of the prime minister's life.

Incumbent BN candidate Abdul Rahman Junaidi is facing PKR's Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Senusi and Independent Suhaini Selamat there.

PKR flags were seen lining the roadsides. Its 2006 candidate Idris Bohari garnered about 3,000 votes against Abdul Rahman who won with 5,217 votes.

Najib is also due to visit Chinese-majority area Kota Sentosa before returning to Kuala Lumpur late this afternoon.