Darell covering his own weaknesses: PBS youth
Published on: Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Maximus and Darell
Kota Kinabalu: PBS Youth Chief Christoper Mandut said it was “immature and inappropriate” for Penampang Member of Parliament Datuk Darell Leiking to ask Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili to lodge the complaint over the return of the 40 per cent tax revenue collected from the state himself.Maximus is Parti Bersatu President and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs).
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“He made the comment as if covering his own weaknesses. Coming from a former federal minister, I am surprised that he didn’t know his roles and functions during his 18 months tenure.
“When they (Warisan) were in power, why didn’t he take it up? Why wait now and blame others for his own failure?” Mandut asked.
He said as part of the federal line-up, Ongkili, who is also Kota Marudu MP, acts as a facilitator on the matter by providing the platform for the two East Malaysian states to lodge their complaints.
“Although he (Ongkili) is a Sabahan, he is a federal minister and part of the Cabinet. He cannot be seen as biased to the Sabah state government. It will be so unprofessional for him to do so. He must be fair to both sides - the state and federal governments.”
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Mandut added that since Ongkili was appointed to the portfolio, he has achieved more than his predecessor, especially on issues pertaining to Sabah and Sarawak rights as enshrined under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Among the achievements were the crucial and historic resolution of the constitutional amendments to Article 1(2) and 160(2) is that pertaining to the equal status of Sabah and Sarawak, to redefine the ‘federation’, and institutionalising Sept 16 as Malaysia Day, the handing over of authority in the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the state was inked on June 1, last year.
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“Also empowering both the Sabah and Sarawak governments to issue deep sea fishing licences on Oct 18, 2021.
“And the biggest achievement was the four-fold increase in special grant for tye Sabah Government, from RM26.7 million to RM125.6 million, to be paid beginning this year,” Mandut said, adding this was achieved due to Ongkili’s hard work, persistence and commitment to fulfilling the rights of Sabahans and Sarawakians.
He said Leiking should first ask if he had done enough for the people of Sabah.
“You had your chance (as federal minister) and you failed. Don’t give excuses that your time was short … your priorities went somewhere else.”
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