Kota Kinabalu: A Parti Gagasan Rakyat Rakyat (PGRS) leader said his proposal for a another senior leader to be Deputy Chief Minister III instead of Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya should not be misinterpreted.
Sukau PGRS Chief Azman Mastar said his proposal was purely based on grassroots opinion besides the fact that Shahelmey is currently “partyless”.
Umno suspended the Putatan MP’s membership for six years for backing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor after a failed coup by Umno Sabah Chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar in January.
Shahlemey who is also Tanjung Keramat assemblyman is restricted from joining any political party due to the recently passed Anti-Hop law.
“The matter is under the jurisdiction of Hajiji and it is up to him. I am only voicing what the people want with a sincere heart,” he said in a statement.
He said his views only involved the position of the Deputy Chief Minister III and not the portfolio as a Minister.
“Don’t misinterpret every suggestion made. As leaders, we need to always be positive.
“Let the position of Public Works Minister be retained for Shahelmy because he is also a member of the State Legislative Assembly even though he does not represent any party,” Azman said.
He believed the “senior leader” deserving of the said position is PGRS Deputy President, who is also the Minister of Finance, Datuk Masidi Manjun.
“This matter is not intended to be bad for Shahelmey, but the wishes and aspirations of the people as a whole should be taken into account to enable the party and leaders to gain their confidence,” he stressed.
