Verbal pledges worthless, Najib

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s announcements of projects in Sarawak in the run-up to GE13 is now boomeranging on him.

KUCHING: The next time Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak announces a project, hold the applause. That’s the view of a senior leader in Chief Minister Taib Mahmud’s cabinet.

Sarawakians are now wary of promises made by the PM.

It’s been two months since the 13th general election and promises made by Najib have not materialized and local leaders can’t push projects through because they were “verbal promises”.

At a recent press conference, a frustrated Sarawak’s Infrastructure Development and Communication Minister Micheal Manyin said the state was unable to implement many of Najib’s announced projects because they were not followed up with a “written” commitment.

During his campaign trail in Sarawak, Najib, who is also Finance Minister, had approved several federal projects to be implemented in the state in order to entice voters to vote for BN candidates.

At the end of the GE13, Barisan Nasional won 25 out of the 31 seats in the state.

But it’s been two months since the GE13 and there’s been no follow-up.

“The federal government must put in writing approval of projects for the state instead of announcing them verbally as has been the case of several federal projects yet to be implemented in the state.

“It is impossible to implement those projects without any written approval. They are worthless.

“When any project is approved we expect it to be in black and white. We want it to be put in writing so that we can call for tender and start implementing the project immediately,” he said.

Give it in writing

Manyin did not name Najib personally but it is common knowledge that he was referring to the premier’s promise of RM480 million to build the Kapit-Song road which will link Kanowit and Sibu.

“The Kapit-Song road was one of the projects approved verbally, but it is yet to be implemented because there is no document confirming its approval.

“Although the prime minister wanted us to start the work as soon as possible, we cannot call for tender for the project as it was announced verbally.

“That is why when the federal government approved whatever infrastructure projects for the state we hope that the black and white will follow suit straight away,” he said.