Federal and state governments develop Malaysia and Sarawak in tandem - Najib

"The process of national development surely requires a long time. It cannot be solved in one term and now we are on the right track to become a developed nation.

"We have seen all these characteristics now," he said, reiterating the commitment of the federal government to continue helping Sarawak to develop on par with states in the peninsula.

"This is my 48th visit to Sarawak since becoming prime minister. As Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem had said, each time I come, I do not do so empty-handed...I will surely bring with me allocations to help Sarawak," he said.

He said this at a friendly gathering with senior citizens at a hotel here, today organised by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu in the Nangka state constituency and attended by 2000 people from around Sibu.

It was the first programme in the prime minister's two-day working visit to Sarawak starting today.

Also present were Sarawak People's Party president and State Development Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing, Sarawak State Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia and Nangka State Assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapa'ee.

Najib said the changes performed by BN was orderly and vastly opposed with the opposition which wanted drastic changes.

As such, he said Dr Annuar should be re-elected at the 11th state elections.

"As BN chairman, I fully endorse Dr Annuar's name to defend the Nangka State Assembly's seat when I received his name. The Nangka State Assembly's voters are lucky. It is not easy to get an elected representative who is a doctor and also a cardiologist," he said.

Commenting further, Najib also praised the event which was held specially to report on Dr Annuar's achievements as an elected representative and his future plan.