Najib’s future now in the hands of Sarawakians, says DAP

Despite pressure from within and outside the country on Datuk Seri Najib Razak to step down, it is the people of Sarawak who will decide the fate of the embattled prime minister, says Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen. "Sarawak holds the key to change. They will decide Najib's fate in the coming state election," he said. Chong expressed confidence Najib would not step down until he saw the outcome of the state election. "If Barisan Nasional (BN) wins big, he will use the result as an endorsement of his leadership and will hang on in office. "If BN were to lose (a further) six to 10 seats, Najib would have no choice but to quit," Chong told reporters at the DAP headquarters in Kuching today. "That's the issue in the Sarawak state election. "Even his loyalists would abandon him in the face of such a setback," he said. The Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman said if Najib did eventually step down, "it would bring about the break-up of the BN". "It will result in the total realignment of the country's political landscape," he said. Yesterday, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad led political and civil society leaders to sign a "Citizens' Declaration" to push for Najib's removal. Chong also echoed Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian's call for the state BN to quit "the Umno-led BN now before its too late", and said Najib must go for the sake of the country and the people. However, Najib loyalist and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth chief, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, said the declaration was proof of "desperate politics of Peninsular Malaysia resulting from Pakatan's lack of ideas and Mahathir's personal vengeance". "It is disgusting to see PKR and DAP lose any remaining shred of political integrity to join forces with a man whom PKR and DAP Sarawak have repeatedly condemned for neglecting Sarawak's development in favour of Peninsular Malaysia," he said in a statement. Fadillah, who is the works minister, said it was clear that no prime minister had "cared more or contributed more to Sarawak's welfare and development" than Najib. "BN Sarawak recognises this and we work based on actual contributions rather than political desperation. "He has given his commitment to CM Adenan to work hand-in-hand to ensure the best for Sarawak. His past actions have proved this and we look forward to greater contributions for the welfare and benefit for all Sarawakians," he said, referring to Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem. – March 5, 2016.]]>