Gone but not forgotten – former minister claims S'wakians pine for Najib

The average Sarawakian misses former premier Najib Abdul Razak, according to GPS lawmaker Nancy Shukri.

According to her, Najib is still popular in the East Malaysian state due to his contributions to the development of Sarawak.

Urging Pakatan Harapan not to sideline the state with regard to its development plans, Nancy said the former premier spent substantial time understanding the needs of Sarawakians when he was in power.

“If you talk to a normal Sarawakian, they want Najib back because he went to all the rural areas.

"I’m not trying to promote him, but he knew what Sarawak needed. He went to Sarawak more than 60 times and he tried to make things easier for us," added the former minister, who was a panellist at the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) forum in Kuala Lumpur today.

Among others, Nancy (photo) said the BN administration approved variousall-scale infrastructure projects under its Budget 2018, but these were subsequently scrapped after Harapan took over the federal government.

"We are very concerned about economic reforms.

"Whatever we are asking is necessary and critical for us," she said, arguing that the government had subsequently announced other mega-projects such as the proposed construction of an international airport in Kedah.

She added that Sarawak remains fortunate to have RM31 billion in untouched reserves, although the federal government has a duty to assist in developing the state, taking into account its contributions to the country's overall development.

Touching on the government's failed bid to restore Sabah and Sarawak's status as equal partners, Nancy clarified that Sarawak MPs who abstained from the vote in parliament had done so after their request to defer the tabling of the amendment Bill for further discussions was rejected.

"I want you all to know what we did. We did not simply reject the Bill.

"If you want to amend, don't do it in a piecemeal manner...You have to do it as a package," she said, adding there were several other necessary amendments aside from Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution.

She also claimed that the amendment Bill was rushed as it was included among Harapan's 100 Day promises.

"They said they could not hold it (tabling) back but it's not the number of days that count, it is the essence of the law and how it will benefit Sarawakians," she said.

An amendment to the federal constitution required two-thirds majority support in parliament and Harapan was short of 10 votes to pass the bill at the policy stage.

This was after 138 out of the 222 MPs had voted for the bill and 59 lawmakers abstained on April 9.

Finance minister lacks understanding on budgeting, says Nancy

For the record: S'wakians want Maszlee to go

Muhyiddin: GPS officially approved, ROS to issue letter soon