Party to capitalise on Adenan’s popularity to ensure bigger win

Adenan: 'These developments were among the progress the state had made in the five key areas of negotiations with Petronas.'

SIMUNJAN (Sarawak): Barisan Nasional will use the popularity of Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem (pic) as the motivating factor to ensure a bigger mandate in the 11th state election, said Parti Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) senior vice-president Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

He said the positive acceptance of Adenan’s leadership would be an advantage for the Barisan machinery in facing the election.

“We take this election seriously. The critical point is to ensure Adenan receives a strong mandate to continue to develop Sarawak,” he said after opening the Simunjan and Gedong water supply projects here yesterday.

He was commenting on a Merdeka Centre survey report, which revealed that 81% of 815 Sarawak voters surveyed were satisfied with Adenan’s performance.

The survey, conducted in January, showed a 5% increase from the 74% recorded in April 2015.

In his speech, Awang Tengah, who is also State Resource Planning and Environment Minister II, said the policies which safeguard the people’s rights, interests and state had contributed to Adenan’s increasing popularity.

He said that in the last two years, over 50 policies which had never been implemented in other states were enforced by Adenan.

Among them were the reduction in electri­city tariffs by up to 50%, exemption of electricity charges for usage not exceeding RM20 a month and the abolition of premium payments for agricultural land, housing and abolishing road tolls.

“These policies reflect his goals and commitment in protecting the people,” he added. — Bernama