BN will not accept independent candidates: Najib

Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak reiterated BN's stand that no independent candidate will be accepted even if they won in the Sarawak state polls on May 7.

The Prime Minister said independent candidates would not be able to carry out any development even if they won.

"Therefore, if there are two candidates, we can support the BN direct candidate in Bekenu (Rosey Yunus) and BN direct candidate in Lambir, Ripin Lamat," he told about 2,300 people from Sibuti, Bekenu, some 50km from here today.

Rosey and Ripin were also present.

Rosey, the incumbent in Bekenu will face a challenge from PKR and two independent candidates while Ripin is set to battle it out with candidates from PAS and PKR.

Najib later opened the Rural Transformation Centre in Sibuti which is the second RTC in Sarawak after the RTC in Betong.

The premier urged the voters in Bekenu and Lambir to use their voting powers to pick the right candidate to ensure a bright and progressive future.

The Opposition are only good for empty promises and slander but not able to fulfill anything, he said.

Najib later announced an allocation of RM94.8 million for enable clean water supply to Bekenu, a project that is expected to start by the middle of the year.

The project would benefit several villages in the region, including Kampung Niah and Kampung Mandau, near here, he said.

Najib also approved an allocation of RM1.5 million for housing projects for the hardcore poor in Bekenu and Lambir, respectively.