From being among the poorest states in the country, Sarawak BN promised today as part of its electoral manifesto that it would make it the richest.

NONE The low-key event saw Abdul Taib Mahmud as the only top BN leader present at unveiling the manifesto ceremony. The chief minister also said the state government would guarantee the “people’s rights over their land.

"Everyone should know that that our core struggle is the development of the country.

"We were very poor and suffered decades ago, but now a lot of us are living well. (The BN government) managed to bring down the poverty level from 40 percent 30 years ago to 5.3% now. This is a very important achievement by the BN which is our main struggle in Sarawak," he said.

NONE With high hopes for the state, Taib said that he intends to turn Sarawak into the richest state in the country by 2030, with a hand in turning Malaysia into a fully developed country alongside the likes of Singapore, Japan,  the US and the UK.

It was reported last year that Sarawak was the fourth poorest state in the country for the whole of last year, despite its land area being larger than the whole of peninsular Malaysia.

"Our track record shows that we truly are strong, united and have persevered until now," said Taib in his speech.

  Unmoved by grand vision and promises

H NONE owever, in his address at a 'Majlis Mesra Rakyat' in Nangka, Sibu, the 400 party supporters did not seem too moved  by Taib's sentiments, with many appearing oblivious to the grand promises and chatting at the back of a small community hall.

It was understood that the launching was supposed to have been held yesterday but poor organisation forced the postponement.

At the press conference, state land development minister and PRS president James Masing denied any ulterior motive behind the absence of other senior BN leaders at the event.

NONE "Sibu is the only time that Taib was free to launch the manifesto and we have to launch it now.

"This is the only reason. There are no other hidden explanations," he told reporters.

The manifesto, themed "For Prosperity, Better Quality of Life, Peace and Harmony: Secure Your Future With BN"  comes in a glossy 29-page booklet  in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and the Iban dialect.

Taib also launched a supplement that came with the manifesto, a thicker booklet to explain the points of the manifesto as well as figures to rubbish policies in Pakatan Rakyat-led states.

In addition to the above pledges, Sarawak BN also vowed to:

  • Preserve and promote peace, harmony, stability and good governance of the state;
  • Preserve the environment, culture, heritage and beliefs of all races;
  • Create enough job opportunities for everyone;
  • Create more business opportunities for all;
  • Provide the best educational opportunities for our children;
  • Care for an improves the quality of life of the poor and the less fortunate and,
  • Ensure that the standard of our roads, water and electricity supply, health services and housing are continuously improved and increased

Sarawak goes to the polls on April 16 with 71 seats up for grabs.