Prime Minister Najib Razak's second coming to Sibu in this by-election was met with a rousing welcome by Chinese educationists as he presented them government allocations totaling RM18 million.

NONE In what is seen as a populist move to curry favour going into the May 16 polls, Najib declared that the Barisan Nasional is the only “true friend” that Chinese educationists can count on.

He recounted when as education minister in 1996, he decided to take the “political risk” by dropping Section 21(2) of the Education Act, which gave the minister wide powers to convert any Chinese-type school into a national school.

"Previous education ministers couldn't or wouldn't do this, including a certain someone on the other side," he said, referring to Pakatan Rakyat de facto chief Anwar Ibrahim.

NONE Najib was speaking to some 1,000 Chinese educationists from the United Association of Chinese Secondary School (UACSS) and United Association of Chinese Primary Aided School (UACPAS) assembled at RH Hotel this afternoon.

At the event, the premier presented a cheque of RM10 million for 60 Chinese primary schools under the UACPAS and RM5 million to five private Chinese schools under the UACSS.

Najib also presented a RM1 million cheque to SK St Mary and RM2 million to SMK Sacred Heart, both mission schools.

His announcements spurred a spirited response from the assembled crowd, a marked difference from the weak reception to his two-day working visit early this month.

Najib: I can deliver

In a veiled reference to Pakatan, Najib said people "can promise many things, but they can also hoodwink the people".

NONE "Who said in 2008 that they would take over the government on September 16? They fooled the Malaysian people, they fooled the world.

"As prime minister, I want to deliver. And trust me, I shall definitely deliver to the people of Sibu," he said.

But Najib pleaded with Chinese voters to throw their support fully behind BN and its candidate, SUPP's Robert Lau Hui Yew.

"Please, I help you, you help me. That way we have a very fair and happy relationship,” he said.

"It won't cost you anything to give us what we want. We will do what we should to give you what you want. And you know what I want."