He said, as a responsible government, BN had carefully planned a comprehensive development agenda for the benefit of the people in the state.

For example, he said the Pan Borneo Highway project from Tuaran to Kudat was expected to bring major change to the people, especially in terms of economic opportunities apart from boosting their well-being.

“As such, BN is an apt choice in the struggle to look after the welfare of the people,” he said when opening a Kemas (Community Development Department) Workshop in Belud, near here today.

Salleh said the people should not be easily influenced by the propaganda and accusations of the opposition who made slanderous statements via social media in their attempt to topple the existing government.

He also said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had conducted numerous campaigns including the ‘Click Wisely’ campaign to boost society’s awareness about how to use the internet responsibly, especially via smart handphones and to avoid falling into the trap of disseminating fake news.

“Often, we are too busy using cellphones, to the extent that we believe whatever information we receive. And we also help make the information received on WhatsApp go viral when we ourselves are not confident of the (accuracy of the) information…we are easily influenced,” he said.

Salleh also urged public servants especially Kemas development officers to carry out their responsibilities without questioning the policies of the government.

“The government is formed and administered by public servants and the ruling party. Politicians and public servants are a combination of the ruling party and we must support the ruling party.

“The ruling party is BN and we must defend the power not for ourselves but because we want to continue the development agenda for the prosperity of the people,” he said.

He also urged the people in the state not to be influenced by the political slogan “Sabah For Sabahans” bandied about by certain quarters.