Muhyiddin: Umno need not be in Sarawak

KUCHING: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Umno need not be in Sarawak to duplicate what PBB had achieved in the state.

Giving his assurance that Umno will not enter Sarawak, the Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional deputy chief said: “PBB plays the role Umno does in peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. That will be continued.

“I don’t think we need to duplicate what has been achieved. Our larger objective is the Barisan.”

He was asked if Umno would make a move into Sarawak following the exit of Tan Sri Taib Mahmud as the chief minister after more than three decades at the helm. Sarawak is the only state without Umno presence.

Muhyiddin was here to receive the Darjah Utama Yang Amat Mulia Bintang Kenyalang Sarawak award from Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng at the Astana Negeri.

The award, which carries the title “Datuk Patinggi Bintang Kenyalang” was conferred on him in conjunction with the governor’s 92nd birthday on Sept 14.

Muhyiddin and Abdul Taib held talks over lunch at a hotel here.

Speaking to the media later, Muhyiddin said: “Parties in Sarawak rally around PBB. That’s the political situation, and that is stable.”

“He (Abdul Taib) has achieved what we want to achieve. There is unity, stability and progress in Sarawak. That is what Barisan wants for Sarawak,” Muhyiddin added.

“With Taib’s track record, and via the new chief minister (Tan Sri Adenan Satem), Barisan will continue to receive strong support in Sarawak.”