Sarawak Elections 2006: Don’t be complacent, Najib tells supporters
10 May 2006
New Straits Time

KUCHING: The Barisan Nasional is confident of winning the Sarawak State elections, but it does not want members and supporters to be over-confident.

Deputy BN chief Datuk Seri Najib Razak reminded candidates and supporters yesterday that complacency could spell disaster.

"We have the right to face the election with immense confidence of a clean sweep but that should not cause us to become complacent.

"We must strive for a strong mandate. We must not be seen to be complacent by the voters.

"BN supporters must come out and cast their votes because even a single vote could make a difference. Don’t think that your vote is not important simply because the BN is sure of winning. This is wrong because if everyone thinks along the same lines we could be in trouble," Najib, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said.

Speaking at a Press conference after accompanying State BN chairman and Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to the nomination centre at Dewan Suarah in Mukah, Najib said although most of the Opposition candidates were contesting to prevent the BN from winning too many seats without contests, the coalition would take every contest seriously and let the people make their choice.

"The Opposition is once again trying to copy us by forming a coalition but I’m sure the people of Sarawak will not be fooled by this marriage of convenience between parties with totally different ideologies.

"Theirs is not a permanent pact to champion the people’s cause but a temporary one which will disintegrate after the elections.

"This is the time for the people of Sarawak to come out in full force to voice their support for the National Mission contained in the 9th Malaysia Plan.

"This is the right avenue for the rakyat to state their support for the BN’s vision and mission," Najib said.

Earlier, Najib led a procession of about 10,000 BN supporters who were accompanying Taib to the nomination centre where the veteran politician filed his nomination papers to defend the Balingian seat at exactly 9.01am.