Musa managed State well: PBRS

Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) congratulated Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman for having successfully administered Sabah and for the state's sound financial management, proving that the Barisan Nasional government is capable of managing the state's resources well.

Its President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup also said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib, who is also BN Chairman, had proven that he was Prime Minister for all Malaysians by helming a government which did not sideline any group under the 1Malaysia concept.

"With the 2013 Budget, I've not seen such a people-friendly budget covering all levels of society, from schoolchildren, youths, single mothers, senior citizens, Rela members to civil servants.

"The 1Malaysia concept is working well and it is not a mere slogan, but followed up with actions in line with the Federal Constitution" he said.

The party's two-day congress begins Friday.

It would be officially opened by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Saturday.

Kurup said BN was the best choice for the people, including in Sabah, as unprecedented development and success had and would continue to reach every nook and corner of the country including Pensiangan.

"Various development programmes have been implemented to improve the people's lot, including building the Keningau Integrated Livestock Centre in Sook with an allocation of almost RM1 billion, the clean water supply project in Pegalungan at a cost of RM56 million, repair of longhouses, the Local Housing Assistance Programme, Keningau Hospital and Nabawan Hospital."

On the allocation of seats for BN component parties in the coming 13th general election, Kurup said:

"The BN-held seats should remain with the incumbent parties, but I think exceptions can be made and the vacant seats appropriately allotted.There should nevertheless be understanding and a give-and-take attitude as we (BN) want to win."

He said PBRS, as a small component of BN, is going all out to retain its seats and play an important role in ensuring a win big for BN.

Although it looks like the toughest general election ever, he is confident PBRS will play a role just as crucial as the big component parties for the ruling coalition to remain in power at the state (Sabah) and federal levels.

Kurup, who is also Natural Resources and Environment Deputy Minister, said PBRS was all prepared to ensure that the Pensiangan parliamentary seat and Sook state seats currently held by the party would be retained, as well as overall victory for BN.

In the 2008 general election, Kurup, 67, won the Pensiangan seat uncontested while party deputy president and state Assistant Minister for Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Ellron Angin defeated the opposiiton candidate to win the Sook seat.

However, the Pensiangan result was dragged to court after the opposition candidate alleged irregularities. Kurup himself was almost assaulted by those unhappy over the seat being won uncontested.

Kurup said PBRS would be using the congress to fire up the spirit of its members, besides fine-tuning its election machinery.

"We are working very hard to convey, explain and implement government policies. Hence, the congress will also focus on reminding the delegates to make thorough preparations in facing the coming general election.

We will be declaring our support and votes for the BN candidates," he said.

Kurup said PBRS would not even think of quitting the coalition unlike the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

He said PBRS had sacrificed a lot for BN, including setting aside the question of positions and personal interest.

"We have continued to assist BN to form the government (since the party's establishment in 1994), although the party was said to have been overlooked, where our privileges were only getting the posts of political secretary and senator, and the seats given to other (BN component) parties.

"But no matter what, we have stuck with BN as we know how important it is to struggle in BN as a component party and we do not wish to weaken BN. This proves our loyalty to BN," he said, adding he was even willing to be dropped as Deputy Minister in 2004.

Kurup hoped the people would not make any error of judgement in deciding on the country's destiny.