BN must observe two main principles - forward thinking and giving priority to the needs of the people through an efficient delivery system - so that the ruling coalition can remain relevant, said Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Najib said to become a more efficient government, BN should not just look at the past but look at what BN must do for the people today and in the future.

"There is no denying that BN has contributed tremendously to the people but by improving the knowledge of the people through better infrastructure for education, the people want to know what we (BN) are doing today and for the future," he told reporters after opening the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party's (SPDP) general assembly in Kuching today.

mic election 120909 najib The prime minister said a change in the political scenario of the country, had also resulted in a change in the way people think, and that has encouraged BN to be more dynamic in line with the expectation of the people.

He added that the people of today are the ones who would decide BN's future and direction and not the achievements of BN in the past.

Apart from forward thinking, the BN government's delivery system must also be effective and efficient so that the people at all levels can reap the benefits, he said.

Najib added that if the elected representatives failed to fulfill their responsibilities to the people, the BN government would be deemed to have lost the election although in principle it has won.

"It is not that the opposition will win but BN will lose the election if those responsible do not carry out their duties and obligation to the people," he said.

He said 1Malaysia was not just a slogan but an essential base to the government's policy of being fair and an emphasis for the need of a better delivery system.

Najib said the people would be the ones to judge what the BN government carried out through the ‘People First, Performance Now’ concept.

"I have targetted 2010 as a year of better achievement for BN," he said.

Najib added that BN as the ruling party would also ensure that all allocation from the federal government to the states can be fully utilised and hoped the respective state governments would cooperate in resolving problems, especially those involving development.

BN component parties, whether small or big like SPDP, who performed exceptionally well in the general election or state election, would be given attention so that the component parties can maintain their performance in the future.

Taib attacks ‘loud-mouthed’ opposition

Meanwhile, Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud chided the action of some who 'planted' anti-government sentiments in the people.

"We are in politics to champion our struggle and not to sideline the main objective of helping the people. Of late, a group that is hungry for power, has emerged and has been spreading anti-government sentiments.

"If they want to champion the cause of the people, they must first learn to serve the people and the country before going into a political battle," said Taib Mahmud in his text speech that was read by Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu.

bn supreme council mt meeting sapp sabah issue 190608 taib mahmud Taib Mahmud who is also state BN chairman said opposition politicians were making all sorts of empty promises to please the people and voters, including assuring them that they would be able to get more money out of development from their native land.

"For the people with the realisation, it will be better for them to support BN rather than listening to loud-mouthed opposition politicians who do not have any evidence of their ability to help the people," he said.

Taib Mahmud added that the state would do its utmost best in providing efficient services to the people in line with the Prime Minister's 1Malaysia concept.

"We appreciate the fact that the people want to see results. However, they must also be guided to realise that the alternatives to BN are not those from the opposition, otherwise they will make the same mistakes as those who voted for the opposition in some states during the last general election," he said.

Meanwhile, SPDP president William Mawan Ikom also urged all BN component parties to work together so as to prevent Sarawak from being exploited by irresponsible groups.

"Not one component party can feel superior to another or claim to be more powerful than the other. Both in good or bad times, all BN component parties must remain united, and work hard," he said.

- Bernama