Another Sabah Umno leader regrets it
Published on: Saturday, September 20, 2014
Kota Kinabalu: Another Umno leader has distanced himself from the July 10 meeting with the Prime Minister which supposedly included pushing for a succession plan for Sabah.Beluran Umno division chief Datuk James Ratib claimed the meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss socio-economic issues was "hijacked" by a few irresponsible divisional chiefs."I never realised that my attendance was used by this group with ulterior motives to raise the so-called proposed smooth transition of state leadership with the Prime Minister during the meeting attended by eight of us," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
He was among the division chiefs supposed to discuss issues relating to socio-economic and other developmental matters in their respective constituencies as suggested prior to the trip. The other person who also said he regretted joining the group for the meeting was Pitas Umno leader Datuk Bolkiah Ismail, who is also State Assistant Industrial Development Minister. "Prior to our trip, I was called and invited by one of the members to join the group to meet the Prime Minister. I thought it would be wise to join them because it is a rare opportunity to see the Prime Minister and I wanted to present to him a list of development projects in my constituency as what I promised during the last general election," he said.However, he never thought that the invitation was to make use of him to show that the group's proposed transition of state leadership in Sabah had support, he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
"They even let me sign a letter to the Prime Minister requesting for development funds especially for Sugut constituency."James said in last year's general election, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman had proven his leadership quality by securing almost 100 per cent seats at both state and parliamentary level.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Musa has proven he is able to bring political, economic and security stability in Sabah," he said.James hoped that his statement would clear the air. He stressed that the agenda was not to discuss and change the leadership in Sabah.James making the statement in response to Sepanggar Umno Division Chief Jumat Idris who had mentioned his name as among the group present at the meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the proposed transition. James, however, clarified that among the eight division chiefs only three or four took part in the discussion on the proposed transition of leadership with the Premier."I wanted to walk out upon listening to the topic of discussion. However, as a respect to the Prime Minister I decided to stay," James added.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
