KOTA KINABALU – Implementation of state rights is far more important than getting a deputy prime minister post, said Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan in response to Barisan Nasional (BN)’s proposal.
He said while he welcomed the proposal, it was better for Sabah to have its state rights implemented.
“We welcome the proposal if it can be materialised. But as others have said, the post must be given an important role, not just be in name.
“Also, some have said that the position is not important, but getting our state rights is far more important.
“Personally, Sabah rights are far more important,” he told reporters here today.
State opposition party Warisan has also expressed the same view that the implementation of state rights is far more important than getting the deputy prime minister post.
During the coalition’s function in Kimanis last Sunday, BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called on Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin to request caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to include three deputy prime ministers post in the BN manifesto.
The posts, it was proposed, would be allocated to one deputy prime minister from the peninsula, one from Sabah, and one from Sarawak.
Bung Moktar has been reported as saying today that he would make sure the post is realised if the coalition wins the federal election.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) is reportedly offering the same posts, albeit only two positions comprising one from the peninsula, while the other either from Sarawak or Sabah.
The implementation of state rights as stated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 remains a work in progress.
Among the terms of the agreement include the non-implementation of the 40% revenue entitlement for Sabah.
On another note, Jeffrey said Sabah STAR has requested to contest in Pensiangan, but whether the party will be allowed to contest in the rural seats at this point is secondary.
He also said swapping seats with PBRS, the BN component party which sees Pensiangan as the party’s traditional seat, would be possible.
“It is an open invitation (for a friendly contest with PBRS) so we will see how they (PBRS) will respond.
“Of course In the last election, you must remember we had an agreement but they still clashed with us.
“This time we want to reduce clashes between cooperating parties,” he said.
In the 2020 Sabah election, BN clashed with PBS and Sabah Star in 17 seats, namely Bengkoka, Matunggong, Tandek, Kadamaian, Tanjung Aru, Kapayan, Moyog, Lumadan, Paginatan, Tambunan, Bingkor, Liawan, Melalap, Tulid, Sook, Telupid, and Karamunting.
Sabah STAR is now a component of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, alongside PBS, SAPP, Bersatu, and Usno.
Kitingan earlier made it clear that the party also wants to contest in Pensiangan.
PBRS recently called for BN to go solo in Sabah but appears to have stopped pursuing the idea.
GRS and BN have not announced their candidates, which would also formalise their electoral pact. – The Vibes, October 28, 2022
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