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| BINTULU: Barisan Nasional candidate for Bintulu, Dato' Seri Tiong King
Sing maintained that his relationship with Pehin Sri Dr Abdul Taib Mahmud
had been very good and his absence during the Chief Minister's function
last Thursday should not be seen as they have problems with each other.
Speaking to reporters here on Friday, he said that he had already sought permission from Abdul Taib to be excused from the function in order to pursue with his programme to meet the people in the outskirt area here. "I was there to welcome him (Abdul Taib) at the function and have requested permission to go to meet the rakyat in the rural area. The CM told me to go on as this is the election period," he added. He made the remarks when asked on his absence during the the laying of foundation stone ceremony for the Bintulu waterfront promenade performed by the Chief MInister last Thursday. He added that Jepak state assemblyman, Datuk Talib Zulpilip, his counterpart from Kemena, Dr Stephen Rundi ak Utom and former Housing Minister, Dato Sri Celestine Ujang Jilan were among those with him to welcome the Chief Minister here before the function. Meanwhile, Talib said the oppositions should not attempt to manipulate Tiong's absence in the function as an issue that they could use to pursue their interests in the current campaign period. When Tiong was excused to enable him to proceed with his work, Talib said the Chief Minister acknowledged the time constraint and the need for Barisan Nasional to optimise their resources during the period available. On attempts by the oppositions to twist the situation, Talib replied:
"What else can be expected from the oppositions?"
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