Inclusive development under BN, says Salleh
By Arthur Edward
KUDAT, May 2 (Bernama) -- Everyone will have a place in the development of the state and country once Barisan Nasional receives the mandate to govern the country after the 14th general election (GE14) on May 9, says UMNO treasurer Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said.
In the context of Sabah, he said, the people must give their undivided support and confidence to BN which had brought numerous developments to the state.
"That's why the people must ensure that BN wins outright," he said at a leaders-people session here today. Also present were BN's candidates for Kudat parliamentary constituency Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, Pitas state seat, Datuk Bolkiah Ismail and Tanjong Kapor state seat, Datuk Teo Chee Kang.
Salleh who is contesting in the Kota Belud parliamentary constituency also said there was no reason for the people in Kudat to reject BN as the government had implemented various projects in the area, the latest of which was the Pan Borneo Highway from Tuaran to Kudat.
"I understand that the government had appointed a contractor for the mega project. When it is completed, the Pan Borneo highway would bring lots of benefit, providing ample economic and employment opportunities for the people in Kudat," he said.
Salleh also noted that some of the people in the area had allowed themselves to be influenced by the opposition and shifted their support to the latter for reasons best known to themselves.
"This would not have happened if they didn't allow themselves to be controlled by their feelings. These opposition parties are not capable of being the government. They only surface when there is an election and disappear after that," he said.
Meanwhile in Kelawat, Kota Belud, where the majority of the people comprised Dusun, the response to Salleh's candidacy for the Kota Belud parliamentary seat and that of Kota Belud UPKO chief Ewon Benedick's for the Kadamaian state seat, was very favourable.
Sualin Tambor, 68, from Kampung Sukang, Kelawat saw the close relationship between the two BN candidates as a good sign for the continuity of the development agenda for Kelawat which is located in the Kadamaian constituency.
"We had seen Ewon working very hard over the last two to three years in assisting residents in the village even though he was not the assemblyman for Kadamaian."
"Various help such as clearing the drain, installing the fence and organising courses for the villagers..these may be minor but very meaningful to us here. So if he wins and become our representative, he will surely, with the assistance of the member of parliament bring many facilities here," Sualin told Bernama.
Kadamaian was a BN stronghold before falling to the opposition through Jeremmy Malajad (PKR) in GE13. However, the assemblyman subsequently left his party and became a BN-friendly independent.
James Dulah, 52, from Kampung Tobur, Kelawat said villagers had enough of the opposition which did not bring any development to the area.
"We do not want our area to go to the opposition again.. we do not want to make the same mistake again as at the end of the day, only BN is able to bring about development," he said.
Mujik Buggung, 61, from Kampung Pahu, Kelawat said voters in the area must choose the candidate who would genuinely pay attention to them.
"We will choose a leader who is close to the people...Salleh was among such leaders..he would always listen to the our laments and render help," Mujik said.
-- BERNAMA
