Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.-filepic
SANDAKAN: Barisan Nasional’s good track record has proven that it is the best choice for the people, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president said the achievement of Barisan in various projects and the aid initiatives it implemented when it was in power had benefited the people.
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The focus of the alliance went beyond transformation to ensure the people lived a good quality of life, he said.
“The Pan Borneo Highway project, implemented during former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s time, is an example of how improving infrastructure and enhancing connectivity by linking remote areas to main roads can provide more job opportunities,” he added.
Dr Wee said other initiatives that had benefited the people included the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M), which had undergone multiple rebranding processes to Bantuan Sara Hidup, Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat and Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia.
The financial aid package is now known as the Tunai Rahmah contribution.
“Although some would call it dedak (bribe), the cash distribution is actually a social safety net for the welfare of the people,” he said at the Sabah Barisan Convention here yesterday.
Acknowledging the challenges faced when Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya formed Malaysia in 1963, he said uplifting the people’s socioeconomic status fairly and equitably was not easy.
“Despite these challenges, Barisan has proven its ability to bring development to the country,” Dr Wee said.
He added that Barisan would learn from previous lessons and plan strategies to win and dominate more state and parliamentary seats.
Also present at the convention were Barisan chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Kadir and treasurer Datuk Seri Johari Ghani, state Barisan chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.
