Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today called on the people of Sabah to continue supporting the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to enable it to bring a new chapter to the state and its people.

Najib, who is also BN chairman, said if the Sabah and federal governments were again given the mandate by the people, they would not only continue to enjoy the existing benefits from development but also bigger gains.

"This is the BN government. There's no need to think about the other parties. We should support the BN government at the state and federal levels.

"God willing, Sabah will move towards a new future, a new chapter where we will develop Sabah like the other states."

Najib said this when launching the state-level Nadi Kasih Programme before thousands of Tuaran residents. Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and several state and federal cabinet members.

He said when he declared Sabah as BN's 'fixed deposit', the opposition parties became worried to the extent that many frequented Sabah to poison the minds of the people by hurling baseless allegations against BN and making empty promises.

The prime minister said their motive was only to make sure that Sabah would no longer be BN's 'fixed deposit'.

"I wish to state here that it is not any 'fixed deposit' but one that benefits Sabahans a lot. I will add more benefits to it. If short, we add...we need a mandate from the people."

In this regard, he urged the people of Sabah to choose transformation which has already proven to propel Malaysia towards developed-nation status.

"Malaysia is recognised by many world leaders and international consultants as having the ability to assist its people through such aid schemes as BR1M, BR1M 2.0 and coming will be BR1M 3.0 after the general election."

He said the people should reject "reformasi" (reformation) which encouraged street demonstrations that created a lot of problems for the public.

He also reminded the people of Sabah not to be duped (by the opposition) and to reject their "reformasi" idea and the Buku Jingga (Orange Book), "which has clearly deceived the people in the states they rule as until today they have not enjoyed what were promised to them during the last general election".

On his visit to Beaufort, Papar and Tuaran today, Najib said based on his observation, he was confident that BN would retain these three parliamentary seats and that Sabah would remain a BN stronghold.

On the Huguan Siou (paramounty leader) title bestowed on opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim by the Ranau PKR division, Najib said accepting the title meant not respecting the tradition of the Kadazandusun Murut community as only a respected leader from the community itself could hold the title.

"The Malays must respect the culture of the Kadazandusun Murut community and vice versa. For all communities, there must be respect for each other's culture.

"That's the foundation of the 1Malaysia concept," he said