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Q: How do you propose to tackle the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah?

A: First of all, I wish to remind that this is a matter of state and national security as well international sensitivity. Since it is a delicate matter, I don’t think this is the right forum for me to be discussing it in detail. But certainly, the Parti Cinta Sabah government has plans to address this thorny issue more effectively.

In our manifesto that we launched, we have made a promise to stop the issuance of IMM13, the Sijil Banci Burung-Burung immediately. We have also promised to re-investigate the Project IC issue through a Special Team comprising the Chief Minister, State AG and Sabah Police Commissioner. And we will impose a heavier penalty of those who prosecuted for involvement in illegal issuance of citizenship to illegal immigrants.

Q: It is possible to round up all of them over a specified period and deport them?

A: This is what every Sabahan have always expected the government and the authorities to do. We know it has been a cat and mouse game for so long. Deport them today and they will be back tomorrow. It’s a mockery to our security system.

Rounding them up is not a problem. But to deport them is because they can and will return. I remember that the Warisan-led government proposed an island to shelter for refugees. Shafie Apdal had said that it was to pre-empt a possible influx of refugees escaping conflict in neighbouring countries by identifying an island that could be used to shelter them.

And he had also said the island shelter was not for illegal immigration, but a settlement island just in case there is a repeat of a refugee crisis like in the 70s.

But Sabahans have questioned this, saying why is it not for illegal immigrants. After all, there’s never been an influx of refugees from the Southern Philippines.

If we had an island shelter, it would help us solve the problem a bit. If we can’t deport them to their country of origin, at least we can confine them in one place and disallow them from coming to the mainland. And we will have our security forces to patrol our waters and ensure that they do not come to the mainland.

Q: How would you ensure top positions in the Federal Departments in Sabah are headed by qualified Sabahans and not from the peninsula?

A: Although Federal posts are controlled by the Public Service Department JPA, it is the duty of State Government to recommend suitable Sabahan Civil Servants to them when arranging for postings in Sabah. There are many qualified and highly capable Sabahan Civil Servants who should be given the opportunity to serve. Having said that, I am a firm believer of meritocracy. The State Government under PCS, as mentioned in our manifesto, will be providing special civil servant scheme in Sabah. This is to ensure that Sabahan Civil Servants are constantly upskilling themselves in order to serve the people better.  

Anifah (centre) in a meet-the-people programme at Bukit Garam, Kinabatangan on Sept 5, 2020.

 

Q: Food security is a major issue. Yet there are lot of idle lands in Sabah. What do you think should be done about it?

A: When the MCO was imposed and people’s movement was restricted, the first thing everyone was concerned about was food supply. We have learned from this experience.

Now we are seeing more and more people returning to land to produce food. Some people who have lost their jobs are now planting to produce food to sell. So, it’s a positive sign.

But a PCS government will further invest in developing the idle lands in Sabah. We will do it systematically and provide assistance plus giving incentives to people who want to venture into producing food. The ideas are limitless, so long we have the will to do it. And we have the will.

One of the problems I see is that we have a lot of agriculture and farm products in the rural areas. But there’s not enough markets near their locations to bring their products to. If they were to bring them to urban centres, they would lose out in transport cost. In our manifesto, one of the things we will do is to eliminate middle men so that food producers can earn a higher profit when they bring their products directly to consumers. After all, we now have the digital technology that can allow us to do this.

We will also boost downstream activities in food production in order to add value and give our products an export value. We already have the Sabah Agro Industry Precinct (SAIP) in Kimanis. So we have the facility and capability.

Q: English proficiency is vital. This would allow our youngsters to secure jobs overseas if unable at home and repatriate their income back to Sabah. Would you follow Sarawak’s proposal in this regard for English medium schools while strengthening Bahasa Malaysia since Sabah has its own State Education Ministry? 

A: I cannot agree more with you how important English is. Yes, since we already have our own Education Ministry, I don’t see any reason why we should not introduce English medium schools. This will help increase our youth’s marketability in the job market worldwide. Q:  Would you introduce a racial quota in filling state civil service jobs for sake of fairness and ethnicity since Sabah has many ethnic groups?

A: No. It’ll be based on merit.

We have to do away with raced-based approach. Welcome to the modern world.

Yes, Sabah has more than 30 ethnic groups.  This is one of the most unique characteristics about our beloved state Sabah. But race or ethnicity and especially religion should never hinder a person to hold a position in civil service. It wouldn’t be fair.

Q: Would your government focus on PR for Malaysians as there are hundreds of cases of Peninsular Malaysians waiting for their PR.

A: We will look into on case to case basis.

Q: Sabah’s strategic position vis-à-vis China, Japan and South Korea puts if at greater advantage for international shipping than peninsula Malaysia. This will improve our economy without relying on Malaya too much as well as ensure more jobs for locals. Would this be a priority for your government?

A: Yes, it would certainly be a top priority for the PCS government. We will constantly be exploring new markets to export our products and services. Not only China, Japan or South Korea, even our closest neighbor Kalimantan puts us in a great advantage to develop our economy. In fact, we share a lot in common as compared to those countries you’ve mentioned. We’re talking about a Greater Borneo market. And let’s not forget, the next capital of Indonesia is going to be in East Kalimantan.

Q: Sabah is doing much better in tourism but infrastructure-wise, we are not comparable to Sarawak the past 10 years. What would you do to ensure our fullest potentials are not wasted?

A: Indeed.

When I was in the Federal Cabinet during Barisan Nasional’s time, the Government back then were adamant in fixing infrastructure problem in Sabah. For example, we were building the Pan Borneo Highway that connects major cities in Sabah, which will have the effect of boosting our tourism.

Unfortunately, this effort is crippled by the Warisan led State Government, to the detriment of Sabah’s Tourism Industry. In the PCS Manifesto, we have endeavoured to improve Sabah’s Tourism Industry by way of fixing infrastructural and accessibility issues.

Q: The unemployment rate in Sabah is one of the highest in the country. This was made worse with the Covid-19 pandemic. What steps would you take as Chief Minister to reduce it in the next four years?

A: In our manifesto, we promise to create special training programmes in order to increase the marketability of the people especially our youth. This is done through GLCs, state government agencies and ministries. We will give each trainee RM1,500 a month. And we will offer a tax relief or rebate for GLCs or qualified companies that want to be part of this programme. But this is just one of the initiatives we will take. To create more jobs, we need to drive more investors into Sabah. If you look at PCS’ manifesto, a lot of the promises we make are inter-related in the sense that they aim to create opportunities for everyone. After all, that’s ultimately what people want – opportunities for a better life.

For example, we promise to empower our petroleum industry by focusing on research and production of more downstream products. This will open up lots of economic and job opportunities. Q: Why should the people vote for your party in this election. What would you say are the special qualities or what does it have that the rival parties cannot offer?

A: PCS has repeatedly said this; that we are a true Sabah local party. We don’t work with any Malaya parties nor do we answer to any Malaya political master. This identity is in line with the aspiration of the people of Sabah that our state to be governed by Sabahans without being told what to do, what to say and what to think by political forces from Malaya. I would imagine us being in a situation like the time before Sabah helped form Malaysia. It was a time that they wanted us more than we wanted them. We will lead a new Sabah that is free from Malaya interference.

Q: Sabah having so many political parties is a very bad example for the new generation. Why is it not possible to have a minimum number of parties?

A: It’s part of democracy. Anyone can participate in politics if they think they have what it takes to contribute and make a difference to the society. Of course, there are pros and cons to having many political parties. It divides the people. Although, on the other hand it provides an avenue for the people to be represented and to be heard. I guess it’s dynamic. After some time, people will naturally filter all these parties and choose only the few that they think have credibility. But it must come with political maturity. People must be more discerning about politics and the issues instead of just going with the sentiments.

Q: How do you plan to resolve the chronic problem of elected representatives betraying the voters by party hopping after winning their seats? 

A: PCS will introduce what we call “Recall Petition”. When an assemblyman who wants to cross over, he or she can do so but would automatically lose his or her seat.

Q: What is your party’s stand on the issue of corruption?

A: We totally reject corruption. When the people give us the mandate to govern, we will make sure that corruption is dealt with down to its roots.

Q: How do you plan to address the issue of fairness and equality in the civil service such as in promotions?

A: As I’ve said, it’ll be based strictly on merit. Anyone who gets promoted is because he or she deserves it. Not because of race, colour, religion or politics. Meritocracy. Full stop.

Q: What assurance can you give to continue the fight for Sabah’s rights and entitlements when the going gets tough without compromising the trust that voters have placed on you?

A: When the going gets tough, the tougher we will be. As in our manifesto, we promise to take legal action against the federal government in the court of law if it refuses to cooperate in the discussion and implementation of MA63, including on matters relating to our claim of 40 per cent from our state revenue as enshrined in the federal constitution but never been implemented. Q: Would your party consider an alliance with Warisan-Plus or other stand-alone parties to form the Government?

A: No. Not with Warisan Plus because they work with DAP, PKR, Amanah for Malaya. And Tun Mahathir Mohamad is their master. As for stand-alone parties, we are open about the idea so long we share the same objectives. But they must be Sabah parties. Never with Malaya parties. Q: What are the three priority issues that you will tackle if your party is elected to power?

A: Law reform, Sabah’s security and the economy. It’s all there in our manifesto. So, I invite all Sabahans to study it because the promises we make are based on their hopes and aspirations as well as their struggles, fear, pain and challenges. We hear them because just like them, each of us is a Sabah citizen too.