Masidi urges Salleh to help disseminate correct info on Sabah
Published on: Thursday, July 30, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun has called on the new Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak to help educate Malaysians on the uniqueness of each state in the country.Salleh, who was the State Legislative Assembly Speaker, was appointed Tuesday by the Prime Minister to the Federal Cabinet, replacing Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.Masidi said the appointment of Salleh gives a great opportunity for the ministry to overcome the ignorance of some of the people in Peninsular Malaysia on Sabah.ADVERTISEMENT He said he personally feels disappointed when at some occasions that he was in Peninsular Malaysia he was asked, 'bila sampai ke Malaysia?' or when did he arrive in Malaysia?What more, he said, some believe that Sabah is just like in Peninsular Malaysia, with only three main races when in fact Sabah has so many.He said while in Peninsular Malaysia the term bumiputera was for Malays, in Sabah a bumiputera can be for both a Muslim and a non-Muslim."I hope that Datuk Salleh will take this opportunity at the ministry to educate the Malaysian community of the situation and so forth in Sabah and Sarawak," he said during a press conference Wednesday.ADVERTISEMENT Masidi also said that only Sabah and Sarawak use the cabinet system while other states have executive committee or Exco, adding it was frustrating at times to be called an Exco when in fact he is a minister."This is a simple thing and people (still) don't know. So it is our chance that through this ministry (the Communications and Multimedia Ministry) to provide correct information about Sabah and Sarawak.
ADVERTISEMENT
"(We) cannot blame the West Malaysians because continuous effort had not been done to educate and disseminate correct information to all Malaysians to understand," he said. He also touched on the immigration in Sabah and Sarawak which are under its respective State government. He said while West Malaysians need to use the identification cards to enter the State, they need to respect such ruling as it is part of the Malaysia Agreement.Additionally, Masidi said it is with all these differences that makes Malaysia respected due to its vast diversity which ultimately is Malaysia's strength. Meanwhile, on the appointment of Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau as the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Masidi said this was because it was at the request of the United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) who wanted their representation in the Federal Cabinet changed to ensure that the head of the party represents in it.Tangau, who is Upko Acting President, replaced Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin who is Upko Vice President. Masidi said the replacement of Ewon had nothing to do with his incompetence but due to what the party wanted."Datuk Ewon is a very good Minister, (a) very dedicated Minister but then it is what the party wanted, to replace him as their representative in the Federal Cabinet. I am sure Madius will excel in his job just like Datuk Ewon," he added.In another development, Masidi said he welcomed the Federal Cabinet reshuffling as it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister to do so. He said the Cabinet as in other countries need to be in tune with decisions as it was a principle known as collective responsibility or unanimity. "In other words, you can speak freely during Cabinet meetings but as you know all Cabinet decisions are unanimous decisions, meaning to say there must be compromise along the way so that it becomes a unanimous decision. "So for that reason, if any member of the Cabinet later on openly gives dissenting views of what has been agreed by the Cabinet, then obviously he doesn't have confidence in the leadership of his boss which is the Prime Minister. "In all countries when that happens, he's obliged to resign so he can freely give his opinion when he doesn't hold anymore ministerial post."He said the appointment of ministers is the sole prerogative of the Prime Minister and he has to appoint people who support him to ensure the Cabinet can operate as one and they can govern the country well."The issue is not (about) allowing you to speak freely…by all means speak freely but don't become a member of the Government if you want to speak different(ly) from what you have agreed or what the Government has agreed earlier."Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
He said Ministers were obliged to resign voluntarily so that they are free to talk and go against the Prime Minister or be prepared to be sacked. "That's a pretty simple cabinet system of government all over the world, not only in Malaysia," he said.