‘Don’t dispute Anifah’s senatorship’
Published on: Thursday, May 11, 2023
“It’s only been a month and a half since Anifah was appointed as Senator. Give him time to prove that he can work for the people of Labuan. - FMT pic
Kota Kinabalu: The appointment of Datuk Seri Anifah Aman as a Senator representing Labuan is a sign of the Federal Government’s support for him to help the people of Labuan.
“His appointment was recommended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to the Agong and I think no one can dispute it anymore,” said Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) Secretary General Datuk Webley Disim.
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Labuan-based activists Lau Seng Kiat, Roger Foo and Julius Elias were among those, including chambers of commerce, who recently disputed the appointment of Anifah, claiming he was an “outsider”.
“It’s only been a month and a half since Anifah was appointed as Senator. Give him time to prove that he can work for the people of Labuan.
“He (Anifah) has already started holding meeting sessions with government agencies, non-government agencies and all levels of Labuan society to listen to the problems of the people of Labuan and bring the voice of the people of Labuan to the top level,” Webley said in a statement, Wednesday.
He also expressed doubts that those who disputed Anifah’s appointment were also originally from Labuan.
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“Lau is not from Labuan and in the beginning, Datuk Wong from Labuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce is not originally from Labuan.
“I feel that there are outside elements who are trying to attack Anifah personally to achieve a certain agenda,” he said.
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Webley also emphasised that Anifah’s role as a Member of the Dewan Negara is different from that of a Member of Parliament in the Dewan Rakyat.
“Members of the Senate (Senators) are only debating what has been approved in the Dewan Rakyat. If the people of Labuan want to bring up important issues, they should bring them to their Members of Parliament (MPs) to be highlighted in the Dewan Rakyat.
“However, this does not mean that Anifah will not listen to the voice of the people of Labuan. He has held the position of Federal Minister for more than 10 years and he has many friends in the Cabinet.
“He will voice out the problems faced by the people of Labuan to his colleagues in the Cabinet,” he said.
Webley also questioned why only lately Anifah’s appointment has been disputed?
“Why don’t these activists dispute the other local leaders (in the island),” he said.
He also stated that the problems faced by the people of Labuan are inherited problems.
“The problems and issues (in Labuan) are not new. Anifah inherited these problems from the old leaders.
There have been several Federal Territories Ministers from the time of Barisan Nasional (BN) until now, but the Labuan problems have not yet been resolved.
“There have also been many Labuan Senators and Members of Parliament over the years who are from Labuan, but Labuan’s problems still remain.
“How could Anifah solve it (the problems) in less than two months when the old leaders, themselves, could not solve those problems,” he said.
Webley also stated that Lau’s statement that Anifah is a “failed politician” because PCS did not win any seats in the last General Election was malicious because PCS did not contest in the last General Election.
“They may not be satisfied with Anifah’s appointment but don’t make reckless and unprofessional statements.
Nevertheless, he said, Anifah’s appointment was due to his vast experience and nothing to do with the success or failure of his political party.
“Anifah was appointed on the basis of his vast experience, his achievements over the years and his concern for the people, including the people’s rights such as the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, even Malaysia’s rights on the world stage were also fought for by him.
“His (Anifah) achievements have been proven but those who criticise him, I want to ask what their achievements are so far?” he said.
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