Bersatu favours ‘Sabah for Malaysia'

SIPITANG: It is time for Sabahans to drop the “Sabah for Sabahans” slogan in favour of the more appropriate “Sabah for Malaysia” as they need to think bigger and look ahead rather than inwards.

Bersatu Sabah leader Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor (pic) said as one of the three partners that created Malaysia in 1963, Sabah needs to have a good relationship with the Federal Government for continued progress.

“The ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ slogan sung by a particular party is just political rhetoric to lure the people’s support because what the people need is that their welfare and interests are looked into.

“To ensure that the needs of the people are taken care the State Government must have a close relationship with the Federal Government.

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CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor’s 2021 Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya Plan and the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) have laid out a road map to an exciting future for all Sabahans, with a target of increasing Sabah’s income levels and GDP per capita from about RM 23,000 to about RM 40,000 by 2030.

“Therefore, we must adhere to a more appropriate slogan and symbolise our responsibility as Malaysians with ‘Sabah For Malaysia’,” he said when officiating the Bersatu Sabah Leadership Tour to Bersatu Sipitang, Sunday.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir had said earlier that it was time for Sabahans, Sarawakians and Peninsular Malaysians to stop thinking in terms of “Sabah for Sabahans”, “Sarawak for Sarawakians” and “Peninsula for Peninsular Malaysians” as we are all Malaysians.

Hajiji, who is also Sulaman MP, said Bersatu Sabah also stood by and fully supported any effort to defend the rights and interests of the people of Sabah as contained in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

He added that the entry of Bersatu into Sabah was not only at the request of the people but also in the context of promoting the development of the state as Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia is a national party.

“Thus we joined Bersatu and establish Bersatu Sabah to preserve the common interests of one Malaysian nation. This is a platform of struggle that enables the people of Sabah to become closer to the Federation.

Hajiji also reminded all Bersatu members to continue to go down to ground and work for the people because the people’s welfare is at the core of the party’s struggle.

Meanwhile, there is need for Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) to grant a ministerial position to Hajiji as an initial step in cooperating with political allies.

PPBM Strategic and Election Director Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin said this is to prove the sincerity of Warisan as a “friend” of Pakatan Harapan (PH) while also eroding the general misconception that the party is prejudiced against PPBM.

He said Warisan should emulate Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) during its administration in 1990-1994, where ministerial positions were given to Usno leaders to honour the two parties’ mutual cooperation.

“At that time, PBS had given two minister and assistant minister positions including several positions in GLCs to Usno leaders even though at that time PBS had a large majority in the State Legislative Assembly (Dun).

“By right, PBS under Tan Sri Pairin (Joseph Pairin Kitingan) as the Chief Minister did not have to give Usno anything but we (PBS at that time) were sincere with the cooperation.

“Logically, Warisan should emulate this effort as the party was unlikely to form the government without the help of other parties within PH and Upko, because they only had 21 seats (on election night),” he stressed.

Lajim also reiterated the unanimous stand of PPBM especially its Chairperson who is also Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that the unification of PPBM into Sabah was to strengthen Warisan rather than threaten the party’s position.

He said the current situation was also seen as the right time for all parties and allies in PH to work closely together in preparation for the 15th General Election (GE15).

He said the three-year period prior to the GE15 is not long and it would require solid preparation of all parties in PH to achieve the agreements made in all negotiations.

“In order to ensure this cooperation, Warisan and PPBM as well as other party allies should hold preliminary discussions to assess some of the key issues affecting positions, electoral quota and other important matters.

“There is no need to delay (the discussion) until the final moments before the GE15 because it is feared that it will cause a lot of problems and affect PH’s chances.

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“Although PPBM has only been in Sabah for seven months, we also have state assemblymen and parliament members in the State who also need the attention of the State Government under the Warisan leadership, “he said.

In this regard, he said Warisan should be sincere in its friendship with other party partners as a step towards ensuring the party and PH continue to lead the State and Federal Governments.

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