Since Sarawak joined in the formation of Malaysia in 1963, it has enjoyed various developments and successes without sacrificing peace, customs and cultures of all ethnic groups in the state, said the Prime Minister.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the latest posting on his blog www.najibrazak.com, on Saturday recounted the achievements of Barisan Nasional (BN) in Sarawak with various graphic images.

Among others was the on-going development while protecting the well-being and uniqueness of the state in upholding the rights of Sarawak through negotiation for devolution of powers for Sarawak and dispelling illegal immigrants and protecting the country's sovereignty.

In providing for housing facilities, 33,871 houses had been built for poor and hardcore poor families in the past five years apart from an additional 6,147 houses under the People's Friendly Housing Programme (RMR) and the People's Housing Programme (PPR).

Almost RM600 million had been spent for Housing Assistance Programme in the last five years to build and repair houses as well as the Village Expansion Scheme to retain traditional villages and 51,380 lots were provided under the scheme and Relocation Scheme throughout the state.

Among the biggest achievements in infrastructure in the state is the 1,089 kilometre Pan Borneo Highway which had begun as promised at the 13th General Election and is scheduled to be completed in 2021.

To tackle the rising cost of living, quit rent was abolished to ease the burden of land owners among the low-income group.

The BN government also introduced the 1Price 1 Sarawak programme to ensure prices of goods were maintained especially in the rural areas apart from 1Malaysia People's Store.

The Sarawak BN government has also made Sarawak a toll-free state following the abolition of toll collection at the Lanang Bridge in Sibu, ASEAN Bridge in Miri and the Tun Salahuddin Bridge in Kuching while ferry fares were reduced to RM1 (from RM5, RM10 or RM15).