Papar: Umno Vice President Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has denied allegations that he is power crazy and planning to topple the present State leadership.The Rural and Regional Development Minister said that on the issue of the so-called "cold war" among Umno leaders in Sabah, as far as he was concerned, he has no problem with other people."Unless they have problems with me," he said, when met after officiating the Umno Papar annual delegates' conference at Dewan Datuk Salleh Sulong, Saturday.ADVERTISEMENT He was asked to comment on the statement by Umno Youth Chief, Khairy Jamaluddin that the change in the Sabah Umno Youth leadership happened because of a "cold war" between Umno leaders in Sabah and them (Youth wing) being caught in the middle.However, the following day, Sabah Umno Liaison deputy chairman Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak denied there was a "cold war" between certain leaders in State Umno."When I was Defence Deputy Minister, I used to come down to Semporna and when I was the Minister of (Domestic Trade and) Consumer I used to go to Semporna, too, until people claimed I only prioritise Semporna."So when I go to other villages, people say I want to overturn the government. How can it be because I want to build homes for the needy that I want to take over power?" he asked.ADVERTISEMENT Shafie said it was up to the top leadership to make appointments because positions are not anybody's right nor it can be demanded although if given there should be no reason not to accept it."I am not saying that we must get this and not get that (because) this is up to the leadership," he said.
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"Our position will not be forever and this is politics. But I have no problems (with other Umno leaders)," he said, adding in this respect, he had proposed that major projects under his Ministry be launched by Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers to share the success.Shafie said more importantly the leaders must resolve whatever problems they had in order to face the impending 13th General Election with confidence. Earlier in his speech, Shafie said his Ministry was given the biggest allocation to the tune of more than RM16 billion to be channeled for development to all the states within three years."You say I am power crazy (but) my Ministry's allocation is so much bigger than the budget allocation for Sabah or Sarawak, Johor among others," he said.Shafie said that as a Vice President of Umno he had been invited to officiate at several Umno divisional meetings in Semenanjung (peninsula) and there was no reason for him not to accept the invitation from Umno Papar."I am a man of clear conscience, I won't talk differently behind other people's back É it is important to be truthful, sincere and struggle for the people. To me politics is the best platform for us to work together and help the people." He said one should not fear in fighting for the truth for the benefit of the rakyat as this was what Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was doing through the reform exercises so that the people would support the government."Just because we are in power we are complacent, we fail to help the people," he said, adding that such situation would make it difficult for Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) to win the coming election.Towards this end, he said it was imperative for everyone, especially leaders of all levels, to remain united and work hard for the people.Shafie also said the state authority must also expedite implementation of all development projects approved by his Ministry for Sabah."If we continue to delay it I am sure the people will lose their patience and we may pay the price in the coming election," he said."Be united don't jostle for positions (instead) don't be afraid to lose these positions or properties because if we cannot bring all with us when we die," he said.Shafie said among Umno's priorities in facing the coming General Election was to register 661,000 of its members as voters, which must be done as soon as possible before the Electoral Rolls is gazetted.At the same time, he said the candidates for Umno/BN must be winnable candidates.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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They must be those chosen by the people and although the BN party presidents, chief minister or state liaison chief could nominate but at the end of the day it is the people to decide, he said.Also on hand were Minister in the Chief Minister's Department, Datuk Nasir Tun Sakaran, Umno Papar Chief, Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail, Umno Kota Kinabalu chief and Datuk Faisyal Hamdan Diego representing the State Umno liaison body.