KOTA KINABALU – Sabahans are not taking lightly to calls for a PAS leader to be appointed as a nominated assemblyman, with a petition being created to stop the move.
The online petition has garnered around 2,400 signatures at the time of writing.
Among those in opposition included Sabah DAP Wanita Chief Jannie Lasimbang, who says PAS’s extremist views would be detrimental to the existing harmonious ties in Sabah.
“I am deeply concerned about the possibility of PAS being appointed into the DUN (state assembly); even more so if their leader is being appointed as Minister for the Ministry of Law and Native Affairs.
“It could mean natives of Sabah will be neglected as PAS is an ultra-Malay party that does not uphold cultural plurality.
“It will spell the end of religious and ethnic harmony which people in Sabah have enjoyed and nurtured,” said the Kapayan assemblyman.
Umno Supreme Council Member cum BN Secretary-General Tan Sri Annuar Musa in a reaction to a news report from Sinar Harian said on Twitter he believes that one out of six nominated assemblymen in Sabah should be from PAS.
Sabah Star and PBS when contacted did not respond to The Vibes, although both parties had previously voiced their objection to working with the Islamist party.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) supreme council member Robert Chong said Annuar should leave Sabah Umno alone to make their own decisions.
“Umno Sabah has been given the autonomy in handling its own government. I think Sabah can decide on its own and will appoint suitable candidates to manage Sabah.
“Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) have to come into a trilateral understanding and agree on all appointments (of nominated assemblymen). Umno do not get to decide all,” he said.
Sabah resident, Taming Razak, 42, stressed that PAS’s Islamic ideology is unacceptable in Sabah.
“Sabahans are tolerant people, accepting of each other regardless of race and religion. PAS has a different perspective. Surely, they will disturb this religious harmony in Sabah.
“They will impose all sorts of proposals. In the long term, relationships among Sabahans will get affected. Believe me, when a tree is shaken, its leaves will fall until the tree dies,” he said.
A former PAS member from Sandakan, Azlani Rayqiezan, however, opined that it was fair to appoint a PAS leader as part of the GRS assembly representation, saying the party, too, had contributed to the alliance’s victory in the Sabah poll on Sept 26.
“I think it is wise to have one nominated assemblyman from PAS as PAS had given great support in defeating Warisan Plus,” he said. – The Vibes, October 1, 2020.
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