Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud gave this assurance in the presence of  SUPP President Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Datuk Dr George Chan Hong Nam in  his keynote address at the opening of the 5th Annual General Meeting of Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP)  themed ‘The Cornerstone of Solidarity” yesterday at Civic Centre here.

Taib also said the SUPP would have strong chances to retain all its seats in the coming parliamnentary election as no component party in the BN would stand alone to fight the opposition.

He said it had been proven whenever  a component party within the State BN was beset with problems, other component parties had rallied and come to its side.

Taib ascribed the spirit of ‘comradeship and cooperation  to  the politics of sharing power since the establishment of Alliance  by its founders..

He explained that politics of sharing power came about after a series of manifestos undertaking to unite Malaysia and build a peaceful and competitive nation from the time of the Alliance.

He added this concept of sharing power had proven to be effective not only in uniting all the different races in the country  with shared responsibility but also serving as an impetus to drive oprogressive growth and prosperity.

Taib, who is also the State BN Chairman, said the BN today had become a group with a strong image among the people.

“The BN has been duly recognised as the first which has been working hard to bring changes to our people for the better whilst steering the country to brighter future,” noted Taib.

He  attributed  the  reasons for BN’s success to  good governance and stable  growth over the years under its capable leaders.

Taib said by keeping up this momentum the State BN could comfortably win the coming election with more than two-thirds majority  of the seats.

He also pointed out although BN at times  had to encounter certain political storms, the loyalty of the members among the component parties and support from the people in the grassroots  had enabled it to emerge stronger.

“This is because the members are able to cast aside their  personal interests, internal rivalry and individual party interest to  come out as an united force to face the opposition during elections,” he said.  .

Earlier, Taib who is also the chairman of Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu(PBB) lauded  SPDP's ability to uphold unity among its members  amidst crisis and proceeded to win all the seven seats contested in last state general election.

Taib firmly believed that the SPDP could repeat similar feat  in the coming  parliamentary general election since the party gave emphasis to unity and solidarity as the driving force of the party.

Meanwhile, Taib said the versatile and strong economic growth in the country has made Malaysia climbing up to become the 17th trading nation of the world .

“The niche products, instead of relying on rubber and tin as in old days, are now primarily manufacturing goods, tourism and service industry,” he said, adding that sound economic structure and conducive investment climate has enabled Malaysia to compete with other developed nations.

Touching on globalisation, Taib said the State Government  was still  looking into equipping the state with high-technology, computer and communication.

" We have recently equipped Sarawak with the WIFI (broadband facilities/wirelss internet facilities) network. Now from the less than two per cent of the penetration of the internet in Miri, we have improved the usage of internet  to more than 70 per cent in only four months," added Taib.

The AGM attended by 2,500 people,  also saw the presence of  two Deputy Chief Ministers, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan and Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, State Legistlative Assembly Speaker, Dato’ Sri Mohd Asfia Nassar, members of the SPDP's supreme council, Datuk Peter Nyarok (deputy president), two senior vice presidents, Peter Nansian Ngusie and Dato Jacob Dungau Sagan, vice presidents, Datuk Dr Tekhee @ Tiki Lafe, Jelaing Mersat, Peter Gani Kiai, Dr Roland Dom Mattu, Vincent Tan Hua Kae, Dato Seri Tiong King Sing (Youth chief/ treasurer general), Chiew Yen Chew (Wanita chief), Sylvester Entri Muran (secretary-general), Theresa Dunstan Udam (deputy secretary general), Pau Chiong Ung (deputy treasurer general), party delegates, observers and community leaders.