Masing confident issues pertaining 1MDB and GST won't jeopardise BN

National issues such as 1MDB and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will undoubtedly be used to influence voters in the 13th state elections, said Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing.

However, he was confident that the issue would not jeopardise Barisan Nasional's (BN) chances of remaining as government.

He said that if the issues were associated with Datuk Seri Najib Razak to be used as political capital, the people of Sarawak already knew what the prime minister had done for the state since he took charge of the country.

"The issues of GST and 1MDB will definitely be brought to the election but we feel there would not be much impact. For example, I feel in the GST issue all we need is a clear explanation, as to me, the problems which are occurring now stem from blurry explanations.

"As for the Prime Minister, he has already done a lot for the state. For example, he approved the construction of a road linking Sibu-Kanowit-Song-Kapit...Kapit before this was like an 'island within the Borneo Island' but within three years, it will have highway access," he said.

Masing, who is also state Land Development Minister, said this when met during a meet-the-people session in conjunction with the launch of the BN election machinery at the Kakus state constituency, Monday.

PRS candidate for Kakus, Datuk John Sikie Tayai, who is also the incumbent, was also present.

Meanwhile, Masing who is also the candidate for Baleh, said PRS had prepared well for the state election.

He said PRS had the advantage when he, as party president and state BN chairman Tan Sri Adenan Satem reached a consensus in determining who would be the candidates to contest the 11 seats allocated to the party, and it was also agreed upon by party members.

"Planning is very important we must act together as one, and we have no other person to support except our CM Adenan. What he (Adenan) is doing currently is appropriate, and the CM's policy is beneficial to rural areas, it is also our advantage," he said.

The Election Commission (EC) will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 14, to discuss the date of the election following the dissolution of the state assembly Monday.

The 11th Sarawak state election will feature 82 state seats up for grabs, with 11 more seats than the previous election in 2011, following the redelineation exercise by the EC last year.