Shafie snubs DAP rep’s call for snap polls
Published on: Friday, June 19, 2020
By: Larry Ralon
Shafie at the press conference yesterday.
Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said there is no need for the Warisan-led State Government to call for snap elections as suggested by Assistant Minister-cum-Sri Tanjung assemblyman Jimmy Wong (DAP) because it is not a hung State Assembly.“Why should he (call for snap polls)? I don’t want to stop people from having their views, but under the Constitution it’s quite clear. They can suggest whatever, but I also have rights and values. Why should I (dissolve the State Legislative Assembly), we have another two-and-a-half years to govern Sabah, let me focus on running the State, not only on election, hopping here and there, buying here and there, because the most important thing is we manage the people, the economy.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Maybe okay for the Federal Government (to be dissolved), because of the hung parliament. But here we do not have a hung state, we have enough seats. We have 45 seats, meaning even if some leave I am still in the government of the day.
“What for I need to bubar (dissolve)? We are facing the people who are in need of help right now. But they have the rights to voice opinion, we are not a government that gag people’s mouth but there’s no necessity (State snap polls),” he said.
On whether State Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony who has been charged by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in court should go on leave pending the outcome of the case, he said: “Why should I (ask Peter to go on leave)? (He will continue working) Until he’s proven guilty.”
On a proposal within opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) for him to become a Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) if they form the Federal Government, Mohd Shafie said there are a lot of proposals and even the current Federal Government also had proposed it.
ADVERTISEMENT
He did not elaborate if it was an offer by the ruling federal Perikatan Nasional coalition.
“But I am not running for any kind of posts, bagi kita tadbir Sabah (let us administer Sabah), my focus is assist the people, to build up the economy.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Right now, we have Sabahans given posts like Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Minister and the Deputy Home Minister, (but) what have they done?” he said.
Mohd Shafie said it is not necessary for him (Deputy Prime Minister post) because there are also others qualified for the post including those from Sarawak but “that is up to them, my focus is to run the State and unite Sabahans”.
Asked on the new Federal Government’s proposal for just the use of IMM13 for foreigners instead of Kad Burung-Burung and Census Card in Sabah until they are issued with a passport by their respective country of origin, Mohd Shafie said that is their (the Home Ministry’s) right.
“It is their right. I had stated that it is not the responsibility of the CM of Sabah to manage the PTI (illegal immigrants), the IC (identity card) or IMM13 issues which are not under the State, but KDN (Home Ministry).
“I had voiced it many times, but unfortunately people held a protest demo in the by-election (Kimanis), saying this need to be dealt with.
“The previous (Home) Minister proposed to have the PSS (Sabah Temporary Pass). Now the present new Minister want to suggest that all (foreigners) hold IMM13. Previously the PSS uses biometric system so it will be transparently clear because our eyes cannot be changed.
“But now, IMM13 is only a plastic card. The IMM13 is a document by United Nations given to refugees seeking political asylum from the southern Philippines.
“Where is Dr Jeffrey (Kitingan)? Jonathan (Yassin)? (Datuk Seri Dr) Maximus Ongkili who look after Sabah and Sarawak Affairs? I don’t want to quarrel with them, with our fellow Sabahans. We must be united, have a common stand for the interest of Sabahans, we need to understand things before we mooted it.
Mohd Shafie also said the recent departures of Kuala Penyu Assemblyman Datuk Limus Jury and Sugut Assemblyman Datuk James Ratib to become Independent assemblymen friendly to Perikatan Nasional (PN) is akin to Covid-19.
“Well this is Covid Politik (political Covid) we are facing but we will be able to deal with it well. We cannot avoid this because we know them from previously.
“They have given several excuses, like need to have a close relationship with the Federal Government so they can bring development to their respective constituency.
“They have been elected representatives for a long period of time, not a year or just overnight. (But) they did have a close relationship with the Federal Government previously but still their constituencies are backward,” he said. Both were in Upko, which is a partner of the ruling Warisan-led State Government.
“But that is their right (to leave or not) so I don’t want to kacau (interrupt).
“(But) They (the opposition) wants to build a perception that they have enough numbers. So whatever it is you can judge for yourself what are the facts and perception they want to deal, to cause political turbulence.
“For us, the State Government, we focus on the Covid-19 and economic problems faced by Sabah. And whatever political obstacles there will be we will face it as a strong team. We still have the numbers and we will continue our efforts.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
.jpg)
