KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's opposition believes the government and Prime Minister Najib Razak are pushing on with election campaigning by denouncing their efforts to support the rights of residents in Sabah. The PM said over the weekend that the government has done more than support Sabah in recent years, asking residents to think twice before casting a vote for the opposition. He added that Sabahans' rights have “never been seized” and the opposition claims are fallacies that should not be followed. Urging the people of Sabah not to fall prey to such “lies,” the prime minister said,”Representing the Federal government, I say that we have never seized the rights of Sabahans. So don't ever incite the people of Sabah. “As I said during the tabling of the 2013 Budget, the true worth of a leader can only be evaluated when he's in power and not when he has no power. Najib said this during the ground-breaking ceremony of the Native Court Training Institute building and the opening of the Inobong bridge in Padang Pagansakan on Saturday. He added that the Federal government was committed to the welfare of Sabahans and to maintain the harmony and diversity of the state's culture. In this regard, he suggested that a comprehensive study be done to decide the future of the native court system in Sabah. “We want the system to be properly developed so that it will not be seen as ‘ala kampung' (village-level) but on the other hand, we want to upgrade its knowledge foundation and position. “So, I appeal to experts in the field to give their views and suggestions so that the native court system can continue to be relevant in the future,” he said. Najib also reminded the people not to be easily taken in by the sweet promises of the opposition who had clearly failed to administer the states they won in the previous general election. “Don't think national administration is so simple that we can arbitrarily spend money as we like just to become popular and get the support of the people.” “When we utter a word or statement it must be based on the credibility of a government and this is the Barisan Nasional (BN) government,” he said. “It's very easy to make promises or become dream merchants. Like the opposition in 2008 who wanted to win in Selangor and Penang and let's not even mention Kelantan. “How much did they deliver? One hundred percent percent? 90 percent are not backed up by facts. In their report card (Penang and Selangor), they would have got Grade D or might even have failed,” he added. Najib said the opposition's arsenal could be described in three words, which were “criticize, incite and promise.” “These are the three weapons they have. For example, they criticised my wife and I for dancing the Sumazau during a recent visit to Sabah. The opposition criticises but we respect the Kadazandusun culture,” he said. “Maybe I am not as good as (Sabah Deputy Chief Minister) Tan Sri Pairin (Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan) and (Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities) Tan Sri Dompok (Tan Sri Bernard Dompok) in dancing the Sumazau…what is important is that I respect the culture of the multi-ethnic community of Sabah,” he said. Najib also rejected the opposition's contention that his numerous visits to Sabah, namely, five visits this year, had to do with worries about the political situation in the state. “I have come here five times, not because I am worried but this is a promise kept and our commitment to look after the people and Sabah,” he said. “A leader must know how to feel the pulse of the people and we must know the people's aspirations. We cannot be a big leader if we are only adept at talking like the medicine seller by the road side. “They will promise they can cure any disease.., that everything is possible if the people would listen to the opposition. Don't place your hopes in leaders who are like road side medicine traders who go all over the places talking about votes and power…the question of the people's interest is not important to them,” he said.
