Sarawak polls: Urban swing behind BN's strong performance, says PM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (centre) together with Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem (second from left), Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (second from right), Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (left) and SUPP president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian making a winning gesture after Barisan Nasional VIPs concludes a press confefence after results were announced at the Old State Legislative Assembly building. IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star. May 7, 2016. *** Local Caption *** Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem wife to Sarawak Chief Minister Puan Sri Jamilah Anu Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis SUPP president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian wife Datin Enn Ong Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein Old State Legislative Assembly Building (DUN) XXX celebrating Barisan Nasional's win on Saturday at the old State Legislative Assembly building. IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star. May 7, 2016. XXX making a winning gesture after Barisan Nasional VIPs concludes a press confefence after results were announced at the Old State Legislative Assembly building. IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star. May 7, 2016. XXX shaking hands with XXX after the first post election results press conference at the Old State Legislative Assembly building last night. IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star. May 7, 2016.

KUCHING: An urban swing back to Barisan Nasional, which led to the DAP to lose five state seats, contributed to the coalition’s strong performance at the 11th state election, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

“This caused DAP to lose five of the 12 seats it won in the last state election. This ‘urban swing’ shows a revival of SUPP specifically,” the Prime Minister told a press conference at the old State Assembly building.

Najib said that with SUPP's recovery and that of other Barisan component parties, the coalition would be able to strengthen as a family that can work well with each other.

The Prime Minister said the strong cooperation between the state and federal governments would allow Barisan to deliver all its pledges to the voters.

Najib thanked the voters and said the federal government would continue to discuss with the state government on empowering Sarawak within the scope of the Malaysian Constitution.

He said the results would give Barisan a stronger momentum towards the next general election.

Najib expressed his sadness over the tragic helicopter crash that killed five people, including a deputy minister.

“I would be remiss not to mention our sadness because we lost our friends in the helicopter tragedy,” he said.

Najib later went to Sarawak General Hospital to meet the families of the victims of the crash.