KOTA KINABALU – The appointment of a PAS leader as a Sabah nominated assemblyman has raised fears that the federal government will start controlling affairs in the state administration.
The entry of Aliakbar Gulasan, secretary of the party’s state chapter, into the Sabah Legislative Assembly is a historic first for the Islamist outfit.
State PKR chairman Datuk Christina Liew had little to say when asked about the decision by the new Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) administration.
“KL (Putrajaya) is calling the shots now,” she told The Vibes shortly after GRS cabinet members and nominated assemblymen were sworn in at the palace today.
She was among those who rejected Umno and Bersatu’s calls for a PAS leader to be made a nominated rep. Opposition was also voiced out from within GRS, with Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili being one of the leaders urging against PAS’ inclusion.
Six nominated assemblymen were supposed to take their oath, but absent were Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee and Datuk Amisah Yassin of Bersatu.
Five ministers were sworn in, namely Datuk Aripin Mohd Arif (special affairs), Datuk Jefry Ariffin (tourism, culture and environment), Shahelmy Yahya (community development and people’s well-being), Datuk Yakubah Khan (science, technology and innovation) and Datuk Ellron Angin (youth and sports).
Luyang rep Phoong Jin Zhe of DAP said Aliakbar’s appointment points to a split between GRS partners, as PBS and Sabah Star have made known their opposition to PAS being in the state assembly.
“This shows that PBS and Sabah Star do not have a say in the government.”
He said the GRS cabinet lacks diversity, citing a lack of youth, women and Chinese representation, and that there is no health portfolio despite the state seeing a surge in Covid-19 infections.
“I am deeply disappointed by and worried about the new cabinet line-up. It doesn’t reflect Sabah’s diversity at all.
“The chief minister has the right to appoint six assemblymen. Appoint a Chinese if the cabinet does not have one, appoint a youth as minister if the government is short on youth representation.
“Hajiji’s cabinet reflects just how ‘sincere’ the government is in doing so,” he said, referring to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor.
He described this as a step backwards for democracy, and made a comparison with the previous Warisan cabinet.
“In Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal’s cabinet, we had deputy chief ministers of different ethnicities, and a woman deputy chief minister in Datuk Christina Liew.”
He also brought up the question of age, saying half of Sabah’s population is below 40 years old, but the average age of Hajiji’s cabinet members are above 60.
On Yong’s absence from the swearing-in ceremony, Phoong said there has been talk that the former chief minister is refusing to take the post of nominated rep.
State DAP acting chairman Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung, meanwhile, said Aliakbar’s appointment is disrespectful to other ethnic groups and seen as a “punishment” to the Chinese.
“I am disappointed. This is like fooling the voters. PAS did not even participate in the state election.
“Hajiji does not understand the customs, traditions and racial harmony in Sabah at all.”
He said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan had declared that no PAS leader would be made a nominated assemblyman.
“If he (Jeffrey) has dignity, he should quit his position and not just ‘dance along’ with Hajiji.”
Elopura rep Calvin Chong Ket Kiun, also of DAP, said Sabahans are proud of their interracial harmony.
“PAS often issues racist and extremist statements, which would divide our people. Sabahans did not choose a racist party, but the Sabah government has opened the doors to this party and invited it to rule the state together. This is confusing.”
Should Aliakbar make such remarks, he said, it is hoped that the state government acts accordingly and boots him out. – The Vibes, October 8, 2020
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