AHEAD of the 14th general election, Prime Minister Najib Razak has talked up his coalition’s efforts in creating “big changes” the country, saying the opposition was just centred on inciting hatred.

“We are not just a government that could only make promises but do not fulfil them. We are not a government that incites (hatred among) the people. That’s the opposition,” Najib said in Sabah’s Tuaran town.

“The Barisan Nasional government brings about positive changes. BN’s initiatives build the foundation for the nation to achieve higher.”

Najib was speaking during his site visit to the ongoing construction of the Telipok-Kiulu-Randagong road today.

Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman, Science and Technology Minister and Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau, and members of the state cabinet.

Najib also took a swipe at Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad, saying he was prime minister for 22 years but had never approved the project.

“This shows that the opposition leader does not care for the Kiulu folks when he was the prime minister… and now he wants to be the prime minister again,” said Najib, stating that no other prime minister had travelled in Sabah more than him.

Najib vowed that more initiatives and development projects will be implemented in Sabah if the BN government is given a fresh mandate in the 14th general election.

“I will make this offer to you, if you want me to come to Kiulu again and do rafting, please vote for the BN candidates for the Tuaran parliamentary and three state seats,” he said. 

Najib said the ongoing projects like the RM18 billion Pan Borneo Highway, allocation for the perimeter survey as well as the 60km Telipok-Randagong road in Sabah are just some of BN’s initiatives that could uplift the livelihood of the local population.

He said RM288 million Telipok-Kiulu-Randagong road will connect to Kiulu and Nabalu town, a market frequented by tourists and travellers heading to the east coast.

The road will allow farmers in Telipok and Kiulu to sell their produce to areas like Nabalu and Kundasang towns that are the source of 30% of Sabah’s vegetable supply, as well as boost local rural tourism activities.

Najib said the construction of the road is 20% ahead of schedule and is now 60% completed, adding that he expects the road to be opened on March 31 next year.

The road was initially proposed during the Seventh Malaysia Plan (1986-1990) but was only approved by Najib after the project was brought up again in 2000. – March 22, 2018.