SNAP Election This Year Possible, Says Pairin

KOTA KINABALU, June 29 (Bernama) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan has hinted the possibility of an early general election although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak did not specifically allude to it in his message during a meeting with Sabah Barisan Nasional(BN) leaders here today.

"I think the temperature is very high for people to anticipate it (a possible snap election)," he told reporters after the meeting with Najib.

Pairin, who is Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, said this when asked to comment on the Prime Minister's message to state BN leaders.

Asked whether this visit would probably be the last for Najib before the general election, he said: "Well, the Prime Minister posed this question to himself...he said it may or may not be...next year is still possible and end of this year is still possible."

However, Pairin made it clear that under the purview of the law it was the prerogative of Prime Minister to call an election.

He said apart from touching on the importance of winnable candidates to be fielded in the coming general election, the Prime Minister also thanked Sabahans for not participating in illegal street demonstrations planned by a trouble-maker group on July 9.

This was because the people had enough avenues to air their grouses including calling for improvements to the election system, he said.

Pairin said the Prime Minister had also told the state leaders that he would support the state BN to develop Sabah.

"We are encouraged by the presence of the Prime Minister here today and we hope the people of Sabah will continue to support Barisan Nasional," he said.

Meanwhile, United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said Najib had also asked state BN leaders to work hard to resolve the people's problems.

"I can see the Prime Minister's seriousness in making sure that the 1Malaysia concept "People First, Performance Now" is successful. We will work together to deliver the goods," he said.