PM: We’ll be able to defend seats in Merlimau and Kerdau
By The Star
LABUAN: Barisan Nasional is feeling good about its chances in the Merlimau and Kerdau by-elections.
Agreeing that there was a “feel good factor” on the ground for Barisan, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the economy was doing well and commodity prices were also high.
“No doubt there may be one two projects yet to be implemented in the area but people will know that it takes time,” he said after launching a 1Malaysia Klinik, the 78th in the country, at Taman Mutiara in Sungai Beduan yesterday.
“Our ground reports are very positive. We will be able to defend the two seats.”
He cautioned all Barisan members not to take things lightly and work hard.
On PAS making personal attacks against Barisan candidates, he said the opposition was unlikely to make any headway as the two Barisan candidates had been screened and would be accepted by the people.
Later, he closed the month-long Federal Territories Day celebration.
On the evacuation of Malaysians from Libya, Najib said they had been flown to Rome via Tunisia and would be brought back on a Malaysia Airlines flight.
He said, however, the country could not do much if some of its citizens did not want to be evacuated.
Earlier, Najib launched the completed RM387mil second phase of the water project that will see the island of about 84,000 consumers getting enough water to meet their needs until 2030.
He said that the Government was also studying to develop the oil and gas industry on the island as it had the potential to create high-income jobs for the locals.
Other areas being looked at included education and tourism, he said.
In Pekan, Najib said in the spirit of “1Barisan Nasional”, component parties of the coalition could have their offices under one roof rather than in separate buildings.
He said the move would not only be cost-effective but would also foster goodwill and closer ties among member parties.
“It is not fun to work individually. It is more enjoyable to work together,” Najib said at a Chinese New Year event organised by the Pekan MCA division at the Sultan Ahmad Shah convention hall.
He said this in response to a request by division chief Tan Yang Meng for a building to house Pekan MCA.
At the ground-breaking ceremony of SK Simpai at Simpai Estate earlier, Najib said the Government faced several challenges in its efforts to provide education for the orang asli where the number of dropouts and those who did not continue their secondary schooling was still high.
