KOTA KINABALU – Many state party leaders are adopting the wait-and-see approach, as party sources are anticipating how the political situation at the federal level will pan out.
A Warisan insider told The Vibes that party president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal will not make his views public at the moment, following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s resignation as prime minister.
“We do not know what may happen at the federal level yet. But one thing for sure is that while the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will have to name a new prime minister, there will be a lot of lobbying,” the source said when contacted today.
Muhyiddin is now interim prime minister until the king decides on a name for a new head of government.
The source dismissed talk of Shafie being a viable choice for the prime minister post, saying that the idea is too far-fetched at this juncture.
This response comes after reports emerged that some lawmakers have been contacted to back Shafie as a prime ministerial candidate and the opposition bloc’s alternative choice.
Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili in an immediate reaction to the recent political development, said PBS “will comply with the requirements of the constitution”.
Six Sabah Bersatu MPs are also keeping mum about the situation after being contacted by The Vibes.
A Sabah Bersatu source said the state chief will not make any comment on the resignation of the party president as head of government.
“He will wait out until things are much clearer in the next couple of days, or until the king decides to name the next prime minister.
“But we will see what will happen in the next couple of days,” said the source, adding that it is disappointing that Muhyiddin was forced to step down while a health crisis is still wreaking havoc in Malaysia.
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah backbenchers chairman Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak said the country must uphold the supremacy of the federal constitution.
“The constitution gives the power of appointing the prime minister to the Agong. When Malaysia is facing the challenges of handling Covid-19, it is inappropriate for us to look for (a new) prime minister with statutory declarations.
“We should just respect the decision of the Agong and focus our efforts on the national recovery,” he said, in a seemingly veiled swipe at Umno. – The Vibes, August 16, 2021
