The people of Sarawak should not treat the coming state election as a carnival nor a platform to gauge one's popularity, said the Chief Minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud in Miri today.

bn supreme council mt meeting sapp sabah issue 190608 taib mahmud He said any decision made by the people during the election would decide the state's future direction.

The election was not merely to choose the candidate liked by the people because there was a link between the people's choice and the development that the state would enjoy, he said.

"If we make the right choice, the state will continue to progress. On the other hand, a wrong choice may hamper the state's development," he said at the 53rd Merdeka Day celebration at the Mara Indoor Stadium.

Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri, Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng led the celebration which was attended by about 5,000 people from within the city.

The term of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly will end in June next year and its dissolution would pave the way for the state election which could take place any time now.

Taib, who would have completed his 30th year as the Sarawak chief minister in March next year, said the next state election should be perceived as an opportunity for the ordinary people to achieve their dream of a better future for their children.

"Make sure that the people whom they want to vote will be able to deliver, will be able to develop the country into one that can give prosperity to their children," he said.

The chief minister said Sarawak still needed political stability and solidarity as the basis for further development.

- Bernama