Time is right for M’sia to have PM from Sabah: Yusof
Published on: Tuesday, June 30, 2020
By: Clarence G Dol
Dr Yusof (centre), Siriman (left), Awasi (right) and others at the briefing.
RANAU: The time is right for the country to welcome a Prime Minister from Sabah and the people of Sabah must fully support the call for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to be appointed to the top post.Parti Warisan Sabah Information Chief Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob lauded the proposition of former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad, where, following the country’s political turmoil, has suggested that Shafie be the Prime Minister candidate.
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“This has opened the eyes, especially the people of Sabah and Sarawak, as it has never been in the history of a central leader from the Peninsula to propose that a East Malaysian be nominated as Prime Minister.
“This is an extraordinary event and we have been independent since 1963 when Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsula formed Malaysia, where in 57 years, for the first time, there is a voice for the people of Sabah or East Malaysia to be Prime Minister.
“Such call is unheard of before,” said Dr Yusof, who is also Sindumin Assemblyman cum Minister of Education and Innovation Sabah.
He said the call is something that the people of Sabah and Sarawak must embrace with open arms because such opportunity is hard to find, but nevertheless it is the changing political scenario that gives Sabahans the advantage and opportunity.
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In that sense, he said Mahathir’s proposal was made because he sees Shafie as the one who is able to unite and resolve the political turmoil and the later had extensive experience in the country’s political administration.
“Since joining politics in the 1980s he has moved up the ranks where he joined Usno, Umno, as the Youth Chief, Exco Members then rose to the post of Umno Supreme Council and also Umno Vice President .
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“Never in the history did Sabahans become Umno Vice President until Shafie held the post at the national level, so he has political experience.
“Later in administration, he became Deputy Minister at the Federal level and eventually became a full Minister in several national ministries,” he said.
According to Dr Yusof, Shafie’s relations with the people throughout the country, including in the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak are excellent where he is eloquent in the way of the State administration.
“Furthermore, in international relations with Asean countries as well as international countries, he also has experienced in one of the high prestigious positions he holds as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Chairman based in London.
“He has also led G2G countries or delegations in international consultations on military, security, economic and other aspects.
“In terms of leadership at the state level, Shafie, who as the Chief Minister, has proven that he can bring the country to a new path through Warisan,” he said.
He said other fellow leaders, including opponents from states such as those under PAS and others, also honoured Shafie.
“So these are all leadership assets that have been acquired by Shafie and we think it is time Sabahans are given the opportunity to become Prime Minister.
“We do not see any disadvantage if we have friends in the Peninsula and Sarawak to give this trust, we believe that Shafie’s leadership can govern as the 9th Prime Minister,” he said.
He was speaking during a briefing at the Ranau Warisan Machinery Meeting that was held at the Ranau Perkasa Hotel on Saturday, that was also attended by Kundasang Warisan Chief Siriman Basir, Karanaan Warisan Chief Awasi Ganie and other Ranau Warisan committee members.
“Today is the meeting with the party leadership of Ranau division’s party and wing committees. An informal meeting and informative session on current national and state issues, as well as what needs to be done in their respective sections.
“Overall the Ranau Division is well prepared and I see the whole Ranau section well established and the spirit of the committee members and the wings is very high. And I believe that the issues are well understood and that no one is confused by the current situation.
“In this discussion they also understand that we have a very stable state government where the division leadership is in full support of the leadership of Shafie,” he said.
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