Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, MI
Najib Razak will meet Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen on February 6 at the federal Chinese New Year open house in Miri in what is seen as a sign of impending state polls.
The Sarawak state government’s mandate ends this July. Speculation is rife that the state assembly could be dissolved anytime from now to make way for state-level elections.
Najib, who is BN chairman, already met up with the coalition’s MPs earlier this month.
Minister in the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Department Datin Fatimah Abdullah, in confirming the meeting, said the purpose of Najib’s meet with BN state assemblymen would be the similar to his previous meeting with BN MPs.
“This time the prime minister will be meeting all Sarawak state BN assemblymen and several things will be discussed including preparations for the upcoming state elections,” she told reporters here today.
According to a Bernama report, Fatimah, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy women’s chief, said the meeting with Najib will be conducted via small groups, just like the PM’s meeting with the MPs on January 8.
There are 71 seats in the Sarawak state assembly.
BN has 63 assemblymen — PBB has 35 seats, the Sarawak United People’s Party has 12 seats while the Sarawak People’s Party (PRS) and the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) each have eight seats.
Long-serving Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had suggested that the state polls be held jointly with the federal elections which are speculated to happen this year.
However, The Malaysian Insider understands that Najib is not in favour of this as he wants his economic plans to show results before calling for a snap election.
BN’s mandate is until May 2013 but speculation is rife that Najib will seek his own mandate by end-2011.
BN is expected to keep the state but could face a stiff fight from DAP, which captured the Sibu federal seat in a by-election last year.
OF SEPARATION OF STATE/FEDERAL POWERS
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Separation of powers between the Federal and State government suggest that PM Najib should NOT be meeting the ADUN members, especially before the State Election.
The fact that the state BN leaders welcome Najib interference into what should have been their internal political affairs, means that PBB as the state main BN component parties, had always been UMNO’s errand boy…. And if PBB is UMNO’s errand boy, I wonder what to make of the SUPP, PRS and SPDP ADUNs ?
(I would be impressed by the kind of PM attention where the PM and entourage would drive from Sibu to Miri, to discover for himself the state of our infastructure !)
If the PM is allowed to interfere early in the run up to Sarawak State Election; it means the office of the PM is also ultimately interfering in the selection of Sarawak CM.
(During the election itself, after the DUN has been dissolved, then it would not have mattered if Najib would come in to campaign).
Comment by MERAMAT TAJAK — January 30, 2011 @ 11:19 PM |
SOUTH SUDAN SONG OF JOY AND FREEDOM
Facts and figures and aspirations of S. Sudan
When will it be our turn for our song of joy and freedom?
Comment by Orang2bangkit — January 30, 2011 @ 9:07 PM |
When? How about putting out you giant cooking pot and boil lots of water?
Then when its right, we can toss all crabs in! Who’ll be first?
Who was it, who started the crappy crap story? He can go first!
Comment by siput — February 1, 2011 @ 12:38 AM |
The main criteria for BN candidates is to learn how to lie convincingly and to make not just empty promises but the promises must be of BIG mega projects.
Comment by Lee Hui — January 30, 2011 @ 7:04 PM |
Pakatan coalition should hold a Unity and CNY gathering in Miri on the same day too. SNAP and PKR can jointly issue a press statement on the day itself to show that there is no tiff between them despite some frustrations faced by both SNAP and PKR in seats negotiation.
United we stand to annihilate Taib’s corrupted regime and UMNO hegemony.Taib must go. George Chan must go. Alfred Jabu must go. William Mawan must go. James Masing must go. No, No , No to UMNO controlled BN.
Vote Pakatan. Ketuanan Rakyat.
Comment by Mata Kuching — January 30, 2011 @ 7:00 PM |
BN YBs got be careful in what they talk to PM, or else the CM will come after their tails if they try to be funny. Look after your balls carefully and know how to polish the Big Balls the right way at the right time. PM will not ask if they like to have the CM stepping down because some compromises have mutually been reached. All know how to touch another’s nerves at the right place so that all will survive
By the polling day, the people are going to tell the PM the very true story and reasons of their choice. The PM may change his mind on Sarawak but definitely not the rest of the UMNO
Comment by Tuai Rumah 2010 — January 30, 2011 @ 2:04 PM |
I will be in Miri to cover.Who knows might be picked? Divine intervention necessary as mosts BN Ybs are not going to step down or give way.
Comment by audie61 — January 30, 2011 @ 1:25 PM |