M'sian PM Najib Thankful BN Given Mandate To Continue Heading Sarawak State

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak expresses thankfulness at the ruling coalition Barisan National (National Front-BN) victory in the 11th Sarawak state election (PRN). Najib, who is also the BN chairman, thanked the voters for their faith in the party. "Heartiest congratulations to Adenan Satem, who headed the BN election machinery with such excellence. "I congratulate the BN candidates who have been picked by the people, and do not forget the promises which have been given, serve the people," said Najib in his latest jottings on the website www.najibrazak.com. Nevertheless, he said the success of BN in the Sarawak election was accompanied by extreme sadness following the helicopter mishap which shook the nation on Thursday. According to Najib, all six passengers of the helicopter were part of those who had worked with determination to carry out their respective tasks and duties. "Their commitment, hard work and sacrifices will always be remembered," he said. To date, the search team had found five bodies - Plantation Industries and Commodities deputy minister Noriah Kasnon, the ministry's secretary-general Dr Sundaran Annamalai, Noriah's bodyguard Ahmad Sobri Harun, her husband Asmuni Abdullah and Member of Parliament Kuala Kangsar in Perak state Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad. In the meantime, the prime minister also promised he would not neglect the mandate obtained by BN in the Sarawak election. "As Malaysia's Apai Besar (number one leader), I promise, together with Sarawak's Apai Besar Adenan Satem and also other BN elected representatives, we will not neglect the belief and mandate which you all have given. "Together, we will ensure Sarawak continues to be peaceful, developing and progressive in line with the national development," he said. The BN maintained its two-thirds majority in Sarawak, winning 72 out of 82 seats at the state election on Saturday. Adenan was sworn in as Chief Minister at the Astana in Kuching on Saturday night. Sarawak also known as Bumi Kenyalang (Land of the Hornbills), is one of the two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo, Sabah is the other state. The capital city, Kuching, is the economic centre of the state and the seat of the Sarawak state government. -- BERNAMA