"I have approved many allocations in Sabah as I am very committed in developing this state," said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Najib, who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said the move to approve numerous allocations during working visits to Sabah was not due to the impending general election.

"I want to make sure that the development gap between Semananjung and Sabah can be narrowed down. We are not like the opposition which only knows how to sell promises. We are a proven government through our track record.

"The BN government has succeeded in ensuring political stability in Sabah, creating peace and harmony, transforming Sabah and ensuring Sabah's security continues to be assured ... that is the success of the BN government," he said in his speech at the Dinner with the Sabah Community Leaders in Kota Kinabalu tonight.

Also present at the event were Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Cabinet ministers and BN component party leaders.

Najib said the government would also continue to increase the allocation to champion the welfare of Sabahans.

Meanwhile, Najib asked the Sabah BN to know the new voters' tendencies in every State Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Sabah to win their vote in the coming general election.

"I see in the last election there were areas in Sabah which received majorities of less than 1,000 and now we see that the number of new voters in certain areas touching 6,000 and it has exceeded the majorities we have obtained.

"Therefore, the BN machinery in all areas need to use all available channels to win new voters. We cannot rely on party members only because it is not enough to guarantee victory," he said.

Najib said the basis of BN's strength was through its machinery including ‘Jalinan Rakyat Plus’ in all parliamentary and state constituencies in Sabah, but he urged that the foundation of the strength be further empowered by seeking voters who could be persuaded to support BN.

"We must plan to succeed and take action to succeed... do whatever is necessary until the closing of polling day and our work is done."

- Bernama