BN gov't pledges to return to Sabah, Sarawak rights to regulate electricity, gas





KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional (BN) government pledged to return to Sabah and Sarawak the rights to have control over electricity and gas in the states.

That was among the pledges made in the BN manifesto themed 'With BN For a Greater Malaysia' which was launched by the party chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Axiata Arena Stadium here.

The prime minister said the BN government pledged to return to Sabah and Sarawak the rights provided for in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

"If we have accidentally taken it or deliberately taken during the rule of certain leaders, we will return it (the rights) back which we have done before in our administration.

"For example, the ratio of teachers in Sabah and Sarawak that should be made up of 90 per cent local and 10 per cent from the peninsula. Now, we have already reached 87 per cent (local teachers) for both states. This means that, we almost fulfil our promise to the people of Sabah and Sarawak,? he said.

The Prime Minister's announcement was welcomed by a loud applause from BN supporters who responded by shouting "Thank You!"

Also present at the launch of the manifesto was Sarawak Chief Minister and Sarawak BN chairman Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

In the pledge, Najib also announced that the BN government would begin the pilot project of schools using English as an intermediate language without neglecting Bahasa Malaysia in Sarawak.

Besides that he said the BN government would increase the allocation for the perimeter survey of the Native Customary Rights (NCR) land in Sarawak.

He said the BN government also pledged to continue the toll-free Pan Borneo Highway project stretching for 2,294 km, worth RM40 billion and would continue to build 12,500 km of rural roads in Sabah and Sarawak.

"We must take care of Sabah Sarawak. We will continue to champion the interests of the people of Sabah and Sarawak," he said.

Ending the pledge for Sabah and Sarawak, Najib gave a special pantun:

Bumi Kenyalang bumi yang indah

Di bawah bayu gelaran sabah

Selagi Barisan Nasional terus memerintah

Sabah dan Sarawak akan Tatap dijulang maruah

-- BERNAMA