Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak tonight described Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the backbone of the Barisan Nasional in Sarawak and the state administration, as a very trusted and reliable partner.

"It is a very successful political ally of ours. It is a very winning formula so why should we change it?

"As such, Umno has no intention of spreading its wings to the state. PBB has proven its mettle to lead very well," he said at an Aidilfitri gathering organised by Kuching PBB today.

Also present were Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor, Sarawak Chief

Minister Adenan Satem, who is also PBB president, PBB deputy president and state housing minister Abang Johari Openg and Works Minister Fadillah Yusuf, who is also organising chairperson of the gathering.

Najib said he could not imagine having an alternative party governing the state, saying it would not work as well as PBB.

Meanwhile, the prime minister said he had appointed eight Sarawakians as full ministers in his cabinet to show his appreciation to PBB.

"PBB has always delivered all its seats in the state election. We have relied and can continue to rely on it to deliver all its seats in the future.

"We also want Sarawak to be a very progressive state so there is no need for people to want to pull out Sarawak from Malaysia.

"The appointments is a reflection of our desire to strengthen regional unity for the sake of national integration," he said;

Najib also urged the people to continue to give Adenan another five years to govern the state.

He gave his assurance the federal government would continue to bring more development projects to the state to speed up its development.

He also thanked Adenan for giving strong support to his leadership.

- Bernama