Cover Story

What BN leaders say…

What BN leaders say…

AFTER POLLING DAY

“The rakyat wants a transparent government. I agree with them. The government must change the way they do things and change accordingly in the manner the rakyat wants. Barisan leaders must also be realistic and not be confident that the Sarawakians would continue to support the coalition. One thing is very clear. Barisan Nasional cannot go on like this.” – Tan Sri George Chan, (former) Deputy Chief Minister and SUPP President

DURING POLLING DAY

“SUPP may win nine or 10 seats out of the 19 we are contesting. There is hope because there are positive indications that several of our seats that were considered black had become grey. If these voters have not made up their minds yet and if they don’t allow emotions to control their votes, it would be to our advantage. We still have hope.” – Tan Sri George Chan

A DAY BEFORE THE POLL

“They (DAP) keep criticising me. I’m fed up with the DAP. They don’t give the people the bigger picture. When I took over the chief ministership, about 60km of roads were built in a year, now it is 500km. When I took over, there were no universities, now there are five. I have helped so many local companies become big, so that our jobs can stay in Sarawak, not be given to outsiders.

“I am telling you now that there will be no one to take care of you if this (opposition government) happens. The good government policy under my time should be continued or else all of you are going to lose everything.” – Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sarawak Chief Minister and PBB President

“Barisan has never done that (vote buying). I don’t know about the opposition. Maybe if they are desperate, they will buy votes. I don’t know and will not make any accusation. But for Barisan, we work according to the rules. We have never violated the law.” – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister

DURING THE CAMPAIGN

“People should not be swept away by the Opposition’s promises and battle cry for change. What change are they barking about? To vote for them is to vote for instability and this is the change they are talking about. It is about our future. Choose genuine stuff and not the cheap glass that poses as diamonds.” – Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud

“Only Barisan Nasional could bring transformation to Sarawak. This is the difference from what the Opposition says. They can only promise but a promise to deliver is no guarantee that it will be done. Barisan not only promises but we can deliver and we have delivered.” Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Prime Minister
“The word is transformation, which is bigger than change. It takes transformation to enable the country become a developed nation. This is because transformation covers all facets of development. Their (opposition) short theme – ‘ubah’ or change is nothing more than an ancient word. And there is nothing great or grand in their manifesto. When they talk about change – is it for the good or bad? Nobody knows but they can promise you the moon and stars.” – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

BEFORE NOMINATION DAY

“They (BN leaders) believe that come the next general election they would be much better off than 2008 and I believe the trend will also be the same in East Malaysia. I believe the tsunami has come and left.” – Datuk Wira Chor Chee Heung, Minister of Housing and Local Government and MCA vice-president

“I am captivated by the pledge of Rela members to be loyal to the government at the oath-taking ceremony. Thus, Rela members must walk the talk and serve the government with utmost good faith and loyalty…Rela must fully support the BN candidates…” – Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Political Secretary to the Sarawak Chief Minister